Seven-day weaving art programme ends at Lok Virsa

Islamabad

The seven-day weaving programme organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) concluded on Sunday.

It was part of a 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. It also encourages 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.

Forty-five students and children from the schools running under the administrative control of Federal Directorate of Education and children of the visitors to Heritage Museum participated in the programme and learnt craft making techniques from master trainers and artisans from December 21 to 27, at Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology ‘Heritage Museum.’

Six master artisans who provided training to children were Parri Bibi in dying craft field of Farasi (floor rug) from remote village Bagh Ali in district Badin, Sindh, Shah Behram in Taghar (floor rug) and Hussain Khan in traditional carpet weaving from far-flung areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sarfraz in Khes, Durree and Khaddar from Kamalia, Punjab, Deedar Ali in Pattu (woolen strip) and Shah Faqir in Sharma (floor rug) from Karimabad, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan and Fazle Wahab in shawl weaving from Swat valley.

Talking to media, the 70-year old Parri Bibi said "It was a great experience of working with Lok Virsa and teaching craft making techniques to children. 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 Shah Behram told that experience of teaching children was fantastic. “Though I trained young boys in my native town in Tank district but holding training classes with children of a developed urban area like Islamabad was a unique and memorable task for me. They have even given me ideas and suggestions on how to introduce innovation in my craft.”

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed, said that Pakistani children have a great potential to learn about culture. “I remember when we organised the first program on Truck Art, even the adults were approaching us to give them a chance to have a hands on experience. Similarly, the other activity on doll making was also fabulous.” 

She also made the announcement that the next program would be on Block Printing which will be held from January 4 to 10, 2016. Master artisans in the field of block printing, ‘Ajrak’ and vegetable dyes will be invited to coach children at Islamabad for a week.

Certificates were also distributed among students of Islamabad Model School for Girls and Islamabad Model School for Boys, G-6-1/3 and G-6-1/2 and special children from Directorate General of Special Education in recognition of their participation in the last program on Doll Making by the chief guest.