BANNU: Forty amateur singers performed at the traditional music competition `Ya Ourban` organised at the district auditorium here on Sunday.

The daylong event attracted a large number of people from around the city.

Organised by KP directorate of culture, the `Tappa` competition was earlier held in Mardan, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Malakand, DI Khan and Kohat.

About 50 talented singers had been registered but 40 of them took part in the event. The concept of holding such competitions was given by renowned poet and educationist Abasin Yousufzai.

Famous musician Professor AR Anwar, Fazal Wahab Dard and Sardar Ali Banusi performed as judges at the completion.

The purpose of the event was to revive and preserve Pashto folk music besides bringing new talent to the fore and to create awareness about Pakhtun folk culture.

Bannu Assistant Commissioner Fawad Khan was the chief guest.

In the Tappa contest, the first prize was clinched by Falak Niaz. He was given Rs100,000 and Gulnar Begum award.

Zahoor Uddin got second and Mirza alam third positions, getting Rs75,000 and Rs50,000, respectively.

The final competition at divisional level would be held in Peshawar on Dec 27.-Correspondent