SRINAGAR: Young Kashmiri artists – Pandits as well as Muslims –performed a musical show, ‘Salaam Mahara’, on the banks of Dal Lake here to showcase the communal harmony of the valley.
The show, organized by Space Communications at SKICC on the banks of the Dal Lake last evening, commenced with ‘Lal Vaakh'(The sayings of Lal Ded) and concluded with ‘Mashaal’.
‘Gulrez’, ‘Mouj Kashir’, ‘Vyaeg Vachan’, Kashmiri Muslim marriage, ‘Hafiz Nama’, snow song and ‘maskharas (clowns) sharing their thoughts were also staged at the show which had the audience spell bound.
For some of the Kashmiri Pandit artists, whose families had migrated to Jammu following the onset of the militancy in 1990, it was their first performance anywhere in the valley.
Governor N N Vohra, who was the chief guest at the show, stressed the importance of showcasing the glorious composite cultural heritage of the state which spreads the message of peace, harmony, brotherhood and secular ethos.
Referring to the ‘Salaam Mahara’, Vohra lauded the excellent performance of the young artists and suggested that presentations of this program should be made at various places in the state.
He particularly referred to “Mashaal”, the last item of the program, and stressed the crucial importance of strengthening the bonds of communal harmony and brotherhood.
Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigjin Jora, while appreciating the performance, said “we have to once again reinforce the high traditions of Kashmiriyat”.
He announced a complimentary Gondola ride at Gulmarg for all the artists who participated in the “Salaam Mahara” and announced that the performances would be organized by the Tourism Department in New Delhi later this year. -PTI
