Pakistan has inherited a rich cultural heritage from its history which is as old as 7000-9000 years old. The imprints left by successive civilizations has left a a rich heritage of handicrafts. The different regions with wide variety of tradition and culture, dialects, folklore, music, dresses and costumes have much to offer to any connoisseur of handicrafts. The Kashmiri Shawls, the Balochi and Sindhi embroidery work, the Peshawari chappals (an indigenous shoe ware) and carpets, camel skin lamps of Multan, Gujrati pottery and the wood and brass work done in different parts of Pakistan have charm of their very own. The handicraft shops in major cities and hotels abound in the handicrafts of Pakistan, which are taken as souvenirs by the tourists from the world over. These specially include the handicrafts made of marble, camel skin, wood and ivory work and cane-basket work. In fact the handicrafts are the most striking expressions of the individuality of Pakistan’s regional identities. The color, the shape or style of a craft item instantly evokes its region.
Handicrafts of Pakistan
Posted: 3rd September 2010 by admin in PakistanTags: Cultural Heritage, Gujrati pottery, rich cultural
Rangoli
Posted: 3rd September 2010 by admin in IndiaTags: Diwali celebration, Happy Diwali, Rangoli Designs, traditional art
Rangoli (ran-goal-i, also known as Alpana, Kolam and by other names) is a traditional art of decorating courtyards and walls of Indian houses, places of worship and sometimes eating places as well. The powder of white stone, lime, rice flour and other cheap paste is used to draw intricate and ritual designs. Each state of India has its own way of painting Rangoli.
One characteristic of Rangoli is that it is painted by commoners. On some special occasions it is painted in every home, with or without formal training in Rangoli art. The art is typically transferred from generation to generation and from friend to friend. Popular magazines publish new designs of Rangoli every week and on special occasions there are Rangoli contests.
Women use their bare fingers or a brush to create various designs from sandstone powder or grain-flour. Sometimes colors and petals are used in addition to flour paste. Some women are so skilled with their fingers that they can create figures of deities, chariots, temples, etc., on the finely layered floor. Petals of various flowers, such as oleanders, cosmos, zenia, chrysanthemums, and green leaves provide the artist the ability to work out various patterns and colors. In the evenings of festive occasions, when oil lamps are lit, and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant, such floral designs create the atmosphere of a well-planned divine garden. This Rangoli garden surrounds the sacred spot where pooja (prayer) is performed or a child is seated for his or her birthday, naming ceremony or thread ceremony. Newly-weds also receive guests in such decorated surroundings when the wedding celebrations are ongoing.
Diwali is known as the festival of lights and is also called Deepavali and is celebrated on the ‘Kartika Amavasya’ or New Moon. The festival lasts for five days the most popular/famous day of which includes a light nightime display of candles, lamps and fireworks. It should be noted that this Hindu festival is celebrated differently in different areas of India. In some places it is only a 1 day festival and in other Indian areas it is celebrated over 6 days. The word Divali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali meaning a row of lights. Deep means light or lamp and avali means row. Hence Divali literally signifies a row or cluster of lights. If you would like to wish someone a happy diwali, the expression is ‘shubh diwali’.
Pakistani Circus
Posted: 3rd September 2010 by admin in UncategorizedTags: Big Top Circus, Circus, CIRCUS IN PAKISTAN
The Jan Baz Circus in Pakistan has flourished since opening five years ago and operates with over 60 acrobats, clowns, trained animals, tightrope walkers, musicians, unicyclists and stunt-oriented artists.
Omani men wear traditional robes called dishdasha. The Omani dishdasha differs from other styles in that it has a short (often perfumed) tassel at the neck. The dishdasha in Oman are often white but may be dyed another colour, brown and navy being popular. If wearing a coloured dishdasha, the musyr (headwrap) is often styled to match. I think they are the best looking dishdasha in the Gulf, honestly, but nasty to iron.
Handicrafts of Pakistan
Posted: 2nd September 2010 by admin in PakistanTags: Creative art, Handicrafts
Handicrafts reflect the culture, tradition and aesthetics of the artisans who create them. It draws a line between a thing that is skillfully hand made to what is mass produced, and therefore grabs the attention to the skill and endeavors of the craftsman him/herself. The actual beauty of a piece of handicrafts certainly depends on the transparency of material, the glimpses of a culture and touch of art. Pakistan has a rich history of handicrafts. The entire wealth of timeless Pakistani handicrafts has survived through ages. The legacy of Pakistani culture promises everything- beauty, dignity, form and style.These handicrafts radiate an aura of glory, exhibit hereditary skills and show painstaking craftsmanship.
Minerals of Pakistan
Posted: 1st September 2010 by admin in PakistanTags: onyx productions, World class gems
Nature has endowed Pakistan with vast deposits of minerals. World class gems are found in the north and north western parts of Pakistan. Located in the shadows of the three mighty ranges (Himalaya, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram) these areas have rich deposits of precious and semi precious stones. Emeralds of Swat, rubies of Hunza and Azad Kashmir and topaz from Mardan as well as a wide variety of quartz, peridot and other gems are much sought after in international market.
Quartz is also mined from Balochistan and so is chromite. Gold, Silver and copper have also been discovered in Balochistan. Balochistan also has the largest supply of natural gas which is supplied through out the country.
Khewra salt mines the world’s largest deposit of rock salt is situated in the plains of Punjab. Marble in various shades and colors has been mined too. Pakistan is particularly famous for its onyx productions. Iron ores and fireclay have also been discovered along with other non metallic minerals.
Quartz is also mined from Balochistan and so is chromite. Gold, Silver and copper have also been discovered in Balochistan. Balochistan also has the largest supply of natural gas which is supplied through out the country.
Khewra salt mines the world’s largest deposit of rock salt is situated in the plains of Punjab. Marble in various shades and colors has been mined too. Pakistan is particularly famous for its onyx productions. Iron ores and fireclay have also been discovered along with other non metallic minerals.
Camel bone handicrafts
Posted: 1st September 2010 by admin in PakistanTags: Camel bone, handicrafts of Pakistahandicraft of multann
Handicrafts
Posted: 1st September 2010 by admin in PakistanTags: camel skin lamp, culture of multan n, handicraft item of Multalamp
The camel skin lamp is a very important handicraft item of Multan city, in this the skin of camel wash washed,than clean and than shaped as desired,after being shaped the lamp was painted with clours and it looks very nice,this painting on the lamp reflects the culture of multan , the camel skin is not only use for making lamps but it is also used for making many types of decorative items these item look very beautiful
Charpoy or Char Paii
Posted: 1st September 2010 by admin in UncategorizedTags: Charpoy Traditional Bed of PakiCharpoystan
Charpoy or Char Paii is a bed used all over Pakistan specially the villages of Pakistan. It is equally popular in India and Pakistan. Charpoy is an important part of lives of the people in Pakistan. It also servers as a place to sit as well as used as bed at night. The guests are offerred charpoy to sit down and relax.
Charpoy is traditionally made of wood and its feet or (Poy) are beautifully crved or decorated with lcquer or simple paint. It is knitted with date palm leaves or a rope made of Jute.
