Indigenous artisans mesmerize visitors at Lok Virsa
Craftspeople from all over Pakistan are mesmerizing visitors at the on-going Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’, at Shakarparian. The mela is not only re-kindling interest of our indigenous artifacts, but also helping to document them for years to come.
Exhibition of ‘artisans-at-work’ is a major feature of the festival. Over five hundred master artisans are seen actively demonstrating their works in artistically designed cultural pavilions. The crafts on display include embroidery (Multani, Bahawalpuri, Hazara, Swat, Balochi & Sindhi embroidery) block printing, lacquer work, Khussa making, pottery, tie and dye, doll making, khaddar weaving, truck art, wood carving, wood work, papier mache, namda & gabba, metal work, Shawl weaving, zari work, motikari, traditional carpets, blue pottery, Ajrak, wax printing, stone work, wooden spoon making, pattu weaving and many others.
One of the most prominent artisans at the mela is Farhat Bibi from D. I. Khan practicing lacquer work. Known as Jundi ka Kaam locally, involves the process of applying layers of Lac in different colours on wood, while the material is rotated on a simple wooden lathe machine. She has been participating in the Lok Virsa’s annual festival for the last 12 years and winning recognition of her talent.
Another captivating craftswoman, the 72 year old Mst. Pari from Badin in Sindh, is a master of traditional darree weaving. Having learnt this art from her mother at very early age, she not only excels at it but is transferring the skill it to the coming generations.
Mst. Malookan Bibi from Balochistan has 30 years worth of experience in Balochi embroidery. Amongst men, Shah Behram, a craftsman in Taghar (traditional woolen rug) weaving from D.I. Khan;
Zulfiqar Ghazi specializing in the famous Kashmiri art of “paper mache” as well minature and stainglass painting; Deedar Ali expert in patti weaving (woven strip made from sheep wool) from Gilgit Baltistan stand out.
The festival will continue till Sunday, 21 April 2013 at Lok Virsa complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian daily from 11.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
