LAHORE: The 13th Annual International THAAP Conference, entitled Rivers of Harappa, wrapped up its two-day proceedings, providing a vital platform for scholars to explore the cultural heritage and historical significance of the Indus Valley civilisation. With 16 papers presented across five sessions, the conference delved into diverse facets of Harappan life, art and symbolism, enriching participants’ understanding of one the world’s most enduring civilisations.

The speakers in the fourth paper reading session, Najia Sarwar and Maheen Yousaf, proposed coloring historical narrative by tracing the generational legacy of indigo dye as Harappa was the cradle of indigo cultivation. In the insightful paper, entitled “Indigo as a Milieu of Harmony and Sustainability,” the researchers traced the role of indigo dye in Harappan textiles, illustrating how the ancient craft of dyeing became a unifying element within society and connected past practices with lasting textile traditions.

Architect Muhammad Abdullah presented his paper titled “Echoes of the Past: Tracing Harappan Cultural Elements in Punjabi Folk Songs.” Abdullah explored the symbolic connections between Harappan motifs and Punjabi folk songs, emphasizing how Harappan culture continued to resonate in regional folklore.

The session was chaired by Dr Kanwal Khalid who highlighted conventional archaeological narratives in her own paper, “Unlearning of Learning: Dimensions of Harappan Excavations.” She argued for recognition of oral traditions and folk customs as essential sources, promoting a more holistic understanding of Harappa beyond physical artifacts.

The fifth session, chaired by Dr Tohid Ahmad Chattha, provided insights into the artistic, cultural and symbolic significance of rivers in the Indus Valley civilisation.

Ayesha Latif introduced her paper, “Reading the Motif of the River in Punjabi Sufi Poetry,” examining how the symbol of river in Sufi poetry, especially in the poets like Shah Hussain and Bulleh Shah, mirrored reverence to water, blending ancient beliefs with later spiritual themes.

Following her, Maheen Yousaf presented her paper, titled “Transcending Boundaries of the Harappan Rivers through the Trefoil Motif.” She analysed the trefoil symbol, found across several ancient cultures, including Harappa, proposing that it served as a shared emblem linking diverse societies through a common artistic language.

Dr Chattha closed the session with his research, titled “Textile Traditions and Riverine Influences: Reconstructing ‘A Punjabi Saropa’ through Harappan Designs.” Chattha focused on the lasting impact of Harappan textile patterns on the modern Punjab, presenting a reconstructed ‘Punjabi Saropa’ indigenous design used in historical monuments such as Shalimar Gardens, homes, buildings and cultural blankets etc that showcased the resilience of these ancient designs.

The conference concluded with a circle roundtable discussion where all the participants spoke on the relevance of oral heritage and tradition in recontextualizing archaeological and anthropological narratives of Harappa. This open forum encouraged lively exchanges, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding the complexities of Harappan society.

Prof Pervaiz Vandal and Prof Sajida Vandal, in their closing remarks, thanked the attendees and underscored THAAP’s dedication to promoting historical understanding and appreciation of Harappa’s legacy.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024