KARACHI: Showcasing indigenous handicrafts of Sindh and Balochistan, the two-day Hunarmand Crafts Mela-2020, organised by the Sindh Indigenous & Traditional Crafts Company (SITCO) in collaboration with Mohatta Palace Museum and the Endowment Fund Trust for the Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh, opened at the Arts Council of Pakistan here on Saturday.

At the stalls selling ajrak, block prints, tie and dye material, various material such as sussi, khaadhi, silks, embroidery work on cloth and leather, Sindhi caps, footwear, rilli, khes, hand-woven carpets, baskets, wood crafts, terracotta and clay crafts, toys, etc, one also got the chance to personally meet the talented master artisans behind the exquisite creations.

There was also entertainment with the Thespianz string puppets doing cultural performances. “There are dances by our string puppets from all the provinces of the country, which children as well as grown-ups are enjoying very much,” said Faisal Malik of Thespianz Theatre.

Surraya Abdullah from Kahror Pakka had pretty tie and dye creations which also served as decorations for her stall. She had used all kinds of material such as cotton, linen, silk, china crinkle for tie and dye. She said that her prices started from Rs1,200 for a shirt piece and went as high as Rs12,000. “But in between you’ll find a range of prices and choices,” she said, adding that she only used natural dyes for her creations.

The stall right next to hers was set by Khatri Abu Bhai, who specialises in Jaipur style tie and dye. Young Naveed Hussain there said that their dyes were fast. “They may not be natural dye but even if you use bleach, the colours won’t run.”

And the third stall also dealing in tie and dye also had appliqué work to offer in the shape of shirts and suits in chiffon and even net. Huzaifa Khatri there said that they had a factory in Badin.

Another stall serving as a factory outlet was the one from Hala. Safar Memon had hand-loom materials such as sussi and khaadhi on sale on factory price. Khaadhi was for Rs200 per metre as was sussi.

At the Ra’ana Liaquat Craftmen’s Colony (RLCC), there were heavy camel door stoppers, paperweights, block-print gift bags made from old newspapers, napkin rings, and what not but all made using waste material and scrap.

Zareen Rashid, RLCC’s production manager, said that they had some 256 artisans working with them. “We have trained them and we also supply them with all the material that they need to make things. Then we pay them for their labour and market the things ourselves,” she informed.

Meanwhile, Nusrat Panyar from Khairpur was selling rilli at her stall. “The art of making rilli was taught to me by my mother, who was taught by her mother,” she said. “Back in my mother and grandmother’s time they only used to make the quilts and present them to family and friends. But I am the first one in my family to start my rilli business,” she said, adding that her prices started from Rs8,000 and went up to as high as Rs15,000. “I also have appliqué work shirt pieces for Rs2,000 each,” she said.

At another stall Soomal Solangi was selling different mediums of art that she had studied at the Sindh University Jamshoro. She had embroidered faces of the recipients of the Nishan-i-Haider and framed them to be hung on walls. She had also done pencil sketches and other pictures using smoke art. There were also some heavily embroidered pillowcases and cushion covers using silver thread and glass work.

Mohammad Usman from Matiari had a stall full of things for men such as ajrak, caps, shawls, waist coats, etc. And one was pleasantly surprised to learn how reasonably priced everything was. But then that was the story of the entire Hunarmand Crafts Mela, bringing up a wonderful opportunity for the public to enjoy Sindh’s vibrant culture while supporting these age-old handicrafts.

The mela will continue on Sunday. There will also be a music recital by Sanam Marvi, Akhtar Chanal and others at the Open Air Theatre of the Arts Council of Pakistan on the concluding day.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2020