Indian Secretary of Sports Sindhushree Khullar paid a visit to the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Friday.
Senior officials of Lok Virsa briefed Ms Khullar about the functioning of Lok Virsa as a leading cultural institution dealing with documentation, preservation and dissemination of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Pakistan.
She was taken around various three-dimensional creative displays at the Heritage Museum which houses dioramic displays of the living cultural traditions and lifestyles of the people of the country, said a press release issued by the Lok Virsa.
She was quite impressed by the quality of the cultural dioramas and artifacts displayed in the museum. She took keen interest in the displays, particularly the embroidery work done by the rural women of Tharparkar, Sindh, displayed in the ‘Hall of Textiles’.
Sindh is known for its lavishly embroidered wedding shirts, fully covered with intricate silk embroidery and mirror work. The greatest variety of Sindhi decorative styles and techniques are employed in embroidering shawls ornately with traditional circular motifs. Sindhi caps are fully covered with floral designs, colourful thread and mirrors.
Ms Khullar was equally amazed to see the wooden carved doors collected from havelis (old houses) of different localities in rural Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. She lauded Lok Virsa’s efforts in documenting and preserving the indigenous folk culture of Pakistan in “such a beautiful and professional manner.”
“The Lok Virsa Museum has been thoughtfully conceptualised and sensitively executed. It gives a glimpse of the rich and varied heritage and culture of Pakistan. The crafts, embroidery and the textile displays are wonderful. A great experience,” she wrote in her comments in the visitors book.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2011.
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