Traditional craftsmanship

[Narcissist]

These are great... each one hand made.

 

[Khanate]

To be honest ..and real .these look very nice in museums, art galleries and historical buildings..but when it come to my home, I want clean and minimalistic design that is functional, modern, sleek, space-efficient and less stressful for eyes

View attachment 355390

I have a few choice words:

• Bland-fest
• Industrial sewage
• Mass-produced individualism

This is a slippery slope which eventually leads to "I don't like chilies in my food" and "Gluten-free naan". *shudders*

 

[ghazi52]

Gandharan artists being trained to be original

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) is holding a week-long sculpture workshop and exhibition to teach artists working with Gandharan art contemporary art trends and styles so they can produce original worl< instead of replicating Gandharan sculptures.

Some 10 or 12 artists from Taxila are taking part in the workshop, all of whom were used to replicating Gandharan art, which is illegal under the Antiquities Act 1975.

Various smugglers would exploit the fact that replicating Gandharan art is illegal, the stigma attached to making religious statues and the poverty ofthese artists.

Speaking to Dawn, an artist from Taxila, Arshad Hussein said: `Our work does not have any value locally. People don`t buy the sculptures we make because they associate them with religious idols. Foreigners take an interest in our worl< and pay a good price for it, but that happens once in a blue moon.

He said that to make sculptures, he first refines stone with a chisel and a hammer, draws sketches on it and then carves it before applying the finishing touches with sandpaper.

Mr Hussein hoped the work shop will help artists produce original, and legal, art work and urged the government to provide training and toarrange for exhibiting locally produced handicrafts.

Various sculptures and stone carved items including decoration pieces, wall hangings, tables, utensils and lamps were displayed for the artists, who were making their art pieces in the PNCA lawn on Tuesday.

Many art students also participated in the event in order to learn from artisans as this form of art is not taught in the twin cities.

`We had to attend this workshop because Gandharan art fascinates everyone who is in this field. We are trying to learn as much as we can in these few days, which is not an easy task, said a fine art student from the Rawalpindi Art Council, Talia Noor.

Another art student, Hiba Javed said the younger generation could bring new dimensions into this centuries old art. Carving a flower with a sharp chisel on a small piece of stone, she said: `It is amazing to see these artists working so effortlessly with stones and we are trying to learn how to use a chisel`.

Talking to Dawn, PNCA Director General Jamal Shah said the workshop and exhibition will help encourage artists to utilise their skills and help them make a decent living.

`We want to give these artists a new direction and dimension, so that they can discover their selves. Only original work earns artists recognition,` he said.

He said the artists participating in the workshop were asked to produce Gandharan artpieces with changes to posture, features and sizes. The new pieces will then be displayed along with the original ones in the exhibition at the National Art Gallery, where they will be housed later on.

The PNCA will also be helping the artists in networking with other artists and private institutes for commissioned projects.

 

[ghazi52]

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An young boy making a colourful chair, known as moorho in Sindhi.

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This Sindhi handicraft is the most common in Khairpur.

 

[ghazi52]

Traditional crafts from Gilgit-Baltistan

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[ghazi52]

 

[[Bregs]]

nice work of handcraft ship

 

[ghazi52]

Ralli Making or Patch Work quilts are traditional quilts made by different pieces of colourful cloth by women.

 

[ghazi52]

A Craftsman Making Wooden Handicrafts in D.I. Khan.
Nazir Hussain and his family are attached with handicrafts business for more than 100 years. His shop is located in main Topanwala Bazaar, D.I. Khan. The hand work done on wood pieces is called Jindry which is the specialty of Nazir Hussain. Jindry is a very time consuming work and requires high level expertise.






Wooden Handicrafts of D.I. Khan.

Some More Wooden Handicrafts in Nazir’s Shop in D.I. Khan.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

The untold stories of the ralli artisans

By Saadia Qamar

The show has been organised by the Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities department and continues till Monday evening. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN


Sewing different patches of cloth into a quilt is what makes a ralli and the making is an art in itself. It may take years or a couple of months to acquire the skill but if you have passion coupled with a need to feed your family, it becomes more of a passionate living.

The show has been organised by the Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities department and continues till Monday evening. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

A number of artisans belonging to different parts of Sindh exhibited their rallis at the First Sindhi Ralli Exhibition, which is on display at the Mohatta Palace gardens. The show has been organised by the Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities department and continues till Monday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Rukhsana Abdul Jabbar, a middle-aged woman, said that she learnt the technique of sewing these quilts years ago when she was married to her husband 16 years ago. “When I first came to my new family, I was really unaware about this technique,” she said. “My husband’s first cousin, Ghulam Fatima, taught me this art form for over a month and thence I learned it. But it was really meant to fend for a livelihood.”

Abdul Jabbar, her husband, who is seated beside her at the exhibition, talks about her journey of acquiring the skill. “In the initial days, she found it extremely difficult to learn [how to sew a ralli],” he said. “But if you have a burning passion within, you may be able to do it.”

Speaking on the occasion, Rukhsana Abdul Jabbar, a middle-aged woman, said that she learnt the technique of sewing these quilts years ago when she was married to her husband 16 years ago. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

According to Rukhsana, another artisan, she has been raising eight children by sewing and selling these rallis from home. She explained that sometimes it takes a week at most for a single bed sheet while it may takes over a month for a double bed sheet. Rukhsana said that she has passed on her knowledge of the skill to two of her daughters.

Meanwhile, Laal Khatoon, also present at the exhibition, said that 10 artisans work under her. They prepare ralli bed sheets, cushion covers and shirts. Her artisans are based in Sanghar. From floral designs to birds such as peacocks, different symbols grace the fabric, she asserted.

Another young girl from Sanghar, Rehana Mangsi, also had her work on display. She proudly showed off her ralli, which took her almost three years to complete. A former medical student whose dream to study further was not allowed to be pursued by her family, Rehana decided to acquire the skill.

According to Rukhsana, another artisan, she has been raising eight children by sewing and selling these rallis from home. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

Another woman, Nusrat, was still stitching at the exhibition, trying to hide herself from the crowd. “I teach ralli-making to a group of girls in Khairpur Mirs at a local vocational centre called Mehran,” she said. “I teach girls who are as young as 12 years of age how to make a ralli. But this requires patience. Only those few with a burning desire can really learn it.”

Two other artisans who are also brothers, Mohammad Younus and Mohammad Asif, are unemployed but have learnt this technique to make a living. Mohammad Younus said that besides him, his wife, mother, maternal aunt and two sisters are already making rallis.

It takes just three days to make a rally at our home because the entire family is involved in the patchwork, he said. It’s handicraft but it is really a means for earning a living for us men from Khairpur, he said, adding that they have completed their matriculation.

 

[[Bregs]]

very colorful artwork by hand

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

New ISLAMABAD International Airport
Stone engraving.

 

[ghazi52]