An artist carving stone at a workshop. — Dawn

TAXILA: A showcase of work carved by local artisans, many of whom work with ‘black stone’, will be established in Taxila.

Plans to establish the showcase, called the ‘Gandhara Art Village’, were announced by the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), and will provide a platform for the export of such products as well as a window into the rich cultural heritage of Taxila.

PSIC managing director Bilal Ahmed Butt told Dawn that the PC-I of the project had been approved, and was allocated Rs104.36 million.

While highlighting the art village, Butt said a training centre, common facility centre, display centre and design centre would also be established in Taxila.

He added that soft-term loans would be given to stone craft artisans, both residents and non-residents of the Gandhara Art Village, for which Rs10 million have been reserved.

Butt said the village will facilitate artisans by offering technical and advisory services, such as innovative design ideas that will be marketed locally and internationally.

He said such steps could play a key role in the revival of the dying craft featuring the world famous Taxila black stone.

Taxila is recognised globally for its creative and unique black stone craftsmanship.

“It will help create an environment conducive to the private sector, by marketing products that will in turn generate employment and foster economic activity,” Butt said.

He said the project would facilitate local artisans, who have been working in the region for decades without showcasing their legendary work, and currently have no platform through which they can access national or international curators and art collectors.

Butt said a survey was carried out to acquire land close to the Taxila museum, in order to attract foreign and domestic tourists.

He added that the project would breathe life into an art form dying from the lack of official patronage and access to markets.

He said that the art village would open the industry up to local and international markets, while the provision of loans would provide artisans with financial assistance that would allow them to excel in the field.

The PSIC has already completed a Rs43 million project in Taxila this year for the revival of dying crafts, especially black stone carving, through the promotion of modern designs.

The project focused on the design, value addition and product development of stone crafts by local artisans.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play