Five-day training in traditional truck art ends

Islambad

The five-day training programme in traditional truck art organised by National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) successfully concluded on Friday.

The training was part of the series of programmes that Lok Virsa is currently holding under the title ‘Craft of the Month’ with a major objective to promote traditional skills, giving knowledge to younger generation about the importance and utility of different crafts and provide opportunity to youth to learn about Pakistan’s rich, diverse and pluralistic cultural tapestry.

The initiative is also aimed at encouraging youth to value dignity of labour, foster ownership for their culture, create respect for different professions and character building. It helped understand the contribution of artisans in the sustainable development of their community and country at large.

Around 70 students and children from the schools running under the administrative control of Federal Directorate of Education, Directorate General for Special Education and children of the visitors to Heritage Museum participated in the programme and learnt craft making techniques from master trainers and artisans between September 5 to 9, 2016 at the beautiful surroundings of the Heritage Museum.

Three master artisans, who imparted training to the children, included 80-year-old Habib ur Rehman, special person Muhammad Younus and Muhammad Farid. All of them were possessing a vast knowledge and experience of association with this profession. They have been participating in national and international exhibitions and festivals and promoting the image of Pakistan by demonstrating their skills before the foreign visiting delegates and dignitaries.

Talking to media, Habib ur Rehman said, “it was a unique experience for me to teach craft making techniques to children at the platform of Lok Virsa. They were keen to know each and everything involved in the process. I tried to transfer my knowledge to them in an interactive manner. Some children were very intelligent and they got a lot in a little time.”

Another artisan Muhammad Farid said that the idea of providing training classes to children is fantastic. “Though I trained young boys in my native town in southern Punjab but holding training classes with children of a developed urban area like Islamabad was a memorable task for me. They have even given me innovative ideas and suggestions.”

Executive Director, Lok Virsa, Dr. Fouzia Saeed who is also the chief visualiser of the craft of the month series said Pakistani children has a great potential to learn knowledge about craft heritage of Pakistan. “Here we also saw little boys who were equally keen to gain information about the truck art techniques. I remember when we organized the first programme, even the adults were approaching us to give them a chance to have a hands on experience.”

She announced that his organisation is holding the next programme on “Traditional Pottery Making” from October 3 to 9, 2016. Master artisans in the field of pottery from all over Pakistan will be invited to coach children at Islamabad for a week.

On this occasion, the venue of Heritage Museum was decorated with beautiful truck art items and related accessories, which looked nice. The accompanying teachers with children also seemed happy with this different style of teaching. “Lok Virsa deserves commendation for successfully holding the programme. They have not been able to efficiently manage it but a lot of effort is under way to improve and incorporate new ideas and innovations for next programs,” they maintained.

The programme formally started on September 5, 2016 with a colourful opening ceremony graced by UN resident coordinator for Pakistan Neil Buhne along with Dr. Fouzia Saeed.