Karachi was treated to a wide variety of homemade crafts as 85 local artists and crafters from the city and other parts of Pakistan participated in the Indie Arts and Craft Show on Sunday evening.
Visitors were welcomed by Baloch folk music and dance performances at the lively event organised by the Crafters Guild and Firefly at Clifton Marquee.
Baloch folk singer Akhtar Channa Zehri was among the many crafters who displayed their indigenous crafts. “This stall is of Mehrgarh Handicrafts,” he said. “We represent the Mehrgarh village of Balochistan. Its culture is thousands of years old and so is its art and craft.” According to him, art and craft is important for people all over the world as it encapsulates history. “Each stall stands for something; no item is meaningless. This history should stay alive.
“Indie is our small event,” Varah Musavvir, the brains behind Crafter’s Guild, told media. “Crafter’s Expo is the main event and is on a bigger scale. This year, the Indie has grown a lot. But the expo, whichd is scheduled for December, will accommodate more stalls and more participants.”
Speaking about the success of the event, she said that she sees Indie as a kind of a preview of what is to come in December. “This event is to offer crafters a platform where they can retail, network and find buyers who may stock their work as well,” said Musavvir. “It brings together people because it is a community event. It is not just me; it is the participants that make the show what it is.
It’s really exciting that this year, The Crafter’s Guild had organisations currently partnered with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund as some of the exhibitors, including AHAN and Indus Crafts Foundation. In presence was also legendary folk singer Akhtar Channal and his family showcasing their handicrafts at the event. Supporting partners for the event include Commune Artist Colony, home to art and talent; Sheops the ultimate women’s online market place; and Dastkari.pk, Pakistan’s premier online marketplace dedicated to handicrafts. All of these have been amazing platforms for artists, crafters, and the like.
