LAHORE: Folk culture is deeply embedded in Punjabi culture, hence, the Punjab Council of Arts launched a Folk Studio to promote Punjab’s folk heritage.

The studio is an initiative by Additional Culture Secretary Saman Rai who is also the executive director of the Punjab Council of Arts. Under this, a divisional arts council will present a show featuring folk artistes each week.

The launch ceremony of the studio took place at Open Air Theatre at the Bagh-i-Jinnah on Saturday, where the chief guest was Additional Chief Secretary Umar Rasool and the guest of honour was Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Atta Muhammad Khan.

The ceremony featured folk dance and music performances by singers and vocalists of Potohari as it was a presentation by the Rawalpindi Arts Council. The executive director of the Lahore Arts Council also spoke in the Potohari language. Saien Amjad Mehmood, Ejaz Butt, Waheed Murad, Hameed Babar, Shaukat Ali, Laila Ali and Saleem were the artists who performed on the occassion.

The Punjab Arts Council has nine divisional arts councils and on every Saturday each council will hold a cultural show at Open Air Theatre, Bagh-i-Jinnah.

A number of stalls featuring Potohari handicrafts were also on display. A stall selling bead necklaces and bracelets attracted several female visitors.