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A date with Baloch culture
We are bound in time frames – days, weeks, months and years. At the end of each year, we dream to live the next, planning it all out. Recently, a leading pharmaceutical company launched its calendar for 2004, as it has been doing for the past 40 years. Among the public figures invited to judge this year’s entries for calendar art included some major names from Pakistan’s showbiz industry.
This year’s calendar is unique in the sense that it has been created and designed by the students of the textile division of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. It has been adorned with exquisite Balochi embroidery patterns, which not only are a treat to look at, but remind us of our rich heritage and revive our cultural spirit. There were initially 26 designs assembled by the third year students, using the eye-catching colours and patterns of traditional Balochi embroidery as inspiration.
This year’s calendar has not focused on one person but has made an attempt to promote the cultural heritage of Balochistan. Balochi embroidery is distinctive in its intricate geometric patterns and is created through a variety of stitches
From the 26 designs submitted, an independent committee selected the six most outstanding designs, which were incorporated into the 2004 calendar. The judges of the committee included art teachers, fashion designers, diplomats, art critics and pop singers. Fashion guru Rizwan Beyg, one of the members of the selection committee, found the patterns to be an interesting blend of traditional and contemporary art. Amin Gulgee, a known sculptor and jewellery designer, noticed an intense sense of belonging in the students’ work. Pop singer Fakhir was inspired by the creativity of the young artists. Shenaz Ismail, an art teacher and actress, while addressing the select gathering, explained the endeavours of the students in completing this demanding task. All the judges were impressed by the meticulous, painstaking hard work put in by the students.
Though last year’s calendar was based exclusively on Gulgee’s paintings, this year, Merck Marker has not focused on one person but has made an attempt to promote the cultural heritage of Balochistan. Balochi embroidery is distinctive in its intricate geometric patterns and is created through a variety of stitches. It is done with cotton, silk and polyester threads, incorporating a variety of stitches enhanced with mirrors, shells, beads, braids and tassels. The calendar has been designed, produced and printed entirely in Pakistan.
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