Exhibition of old craft earthen ware and wooden ornaments held.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: Preserving cultural craft of indigenous people in Chitral an exhibition was held in local hotel. Senior artesian and skilled people displayed handmade earthen and wooden ware and very old ornaments which are disappearing gradually. The exhibition was organized by Research Planning & Development Organization Chitral (RPDOC). Which was financially supported by Division of Economics and Social Development (DESA) and United Nation Fund for indigenous people.
Chairman RPDOC Professor Rahmat Karim Baig said that our indigenous and old culture is dying most of wooden and earthen hand mad ornaments and home appliances are disappearing. He said that for preservation of our culture and conservation of indigenous skill they trained 20 skill person is earthen ware, 20 people in wooden ware and ornaments and 20 female in indigenous carpet making.
These newly trained people also brought their handmade items which were put for demonstration in the cultural exhibition as well as they were linked to market and by this way their handmade items would be sell out on high price.
Professor Mumtaz Hussain said that most of our precious cultural heritage and handmade are disappearing. Our new generation is not aware about these old and indignious cultural heritages. It has two negative aspects culturally and historically impacts on our culture.
Professor Ghaniur Rehman said that by disappearing of these indigenous earthen, wooden and handmade ware and ornaments not only our eco system disturbing but it also impact on our socio economics status. Most of artists and skilled persons were jobless RPDOC tried to boost this tradition and motivate young people to get training in making handmade earthen and wooden things which are using in our daily life.
Abdul Nasir human president Human rights Chitral chapter said that Chitral is the one of the most indigenous people place where people preserve their culture despite several difficulties.
A local woman from Drosh said that by this way our economic conditions would enhanced and we can earn our livelihood with a respectable way by making carpet. Rahmat Jafar Dost and other speakers also appreciated this exhibition and termed it environmental friend efforts. A large number of local artists, skill persons and women folk participated in the preserving cultural craft exhibition.
These old hand made ornaments badly affect of fluctuation in market and introducing cheap plastic and metal things.
G.H. Farooqi C/O Manager bank Islami Main branch Chitral Pakistan phone No (0092) 0943-320737, 0943-316052, 0943-414418 ,03205989602, 03025989602, 03337069572, 03159698446, 03469002167
email: gulhamad@gmail.com,ghfarooqi@rediffmail.com, gulhamaad786@yahoo.co.uk,journalist786@outlook.com
Old ware