Promoting traditional crafts: Students learn art of pottery-making

Lok Virsa has launched ‘craft of the month’ programme for younger generation

ISLAMABAD: In an attempt to revive local culture, and teach young students about traditional crafts and skills, Lok Virsa has introduced a “craft of the month” programme.

This programme involves a week in every month where students come with their teachers and learn a specific craft all week until they are able to produce something for the exhibition hosted at the end of the week.

This month, Lok Virsa is hosting a seven-day pottery making programme in collaboration with the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Pakistan Baitul Mal, which kicked-off at the museum on Monday.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed, while welcoming students, teachers and guests, said she was delighted to see student participation in the event.

“One of the major objectives of Lok Virsa is the promotion of Pakistani culture and its transfer to the next generations,” she said.

“The ongoing series aims at promoting traditional skills, giving knowledge to younger generation about the importance and utility of different crafts, and providing them an opportunity to learn about Pakistan’s rich, diverse and plural cultural tapestry,” Saeed said.

“I personally want to thank all the teachers who realise how important cultural values are, and who are going beyond the call of duty by bringing their students to Lok Virsa for this pottery-making programme. You are doing a service for these children, you are contributing to their lives and for that I cannot thank you enough,” she said.



The chief guest of the event, renowned puppeteer and a member of the Lok Virsa board of governors Farooq Qaiser said he was truly honoured to be a part of such a productive programme that was not only preserving the culture but also promoting skills in children.

“It is extremely important for our new generation to continue the legacy of our traditional skills. Children are our future and we should prepare them for a better future of the country,” he said.

Lahore Museum Director Sumaira Samad and Sheherezade Alam, a renowned ceramic artist, also graced the occasion where students of different classes from various Islamabad Model Schools performed on regional and Pakistani songs.

The performances varied from school to school; some were folk songs, dances and even qawwalis. The highlight of the event was a group performance on “Tajdar-e-Haram” by the students of IMCG F-11/1. Students grouped together to perform a medley, which featured regional songs from all the provinces of the country.

Niaz Ahmad, an artisan from Saidpur Village who will be teaching pottery to students at Lok Virsa this week, said it was an honour for him to pass on the art to students, and to play a part in continuing the legacy of pottery making.

The pottery-making programme intends to continue till Sunday, October 11.

Students and schools are welcome to participate free-of-cost and Lok Virsa is also welcoming adults to come on Sunday, where students will put their work on display.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2015.