A woman makes paper horses at Lok Virsa. PHOTO: APP
He stated this while addressing the opening ceremony of the three-day "National Exhibition of Dying Crafts of Pakistan" at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage — Lok Virsa on Tuesday.
Appreciating Lok Virsa’s efforts for preserving and promoting dying folk crafts, Mahmood said that a permanent space will be provided to artisans for displaying their artwork and dying crafts.
Furthermore, he said that master artisans of endangered skills and crafts will be engaged to train a new generation of craftspeople.
The education minister said that it was essential for any culture to promote and preserve its arts, crafts and music. He said that the present Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government was committed to taking steps for the preservation and promotion of dying crafts.
Moreover, Mahmood said that his ministry will collaborate with the information ministry — led by fellow PTI minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, to devise a comprehensive plan for the preservation of arts and crafts.
Mahmood also visited various stalls and observed live demonstrations of artisans.
The opening ceremony included live performances by folk instrumentalists and multi-media presentations on dying crafts.
Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Akram lauded Lok Virsa for organising the national exhibition and praised the work of master artisans and the live performances of artists representing all four provinces along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
She said that their government was taking steps for promoting arts and crafts.
Earlier, Lok Virsa Executive Director Shaheera Shahid said that "dying crafts should be made a part of course books to educate our young generation."
Craft experts also presented a paper and multimedia presentations to highlight the importance of craft heritage.
Weekly classes
As part of its efforts to promote traditional music, Lok Virsa will organize weekly music classes from March 16.
"This time we will focus on Bansuri, Rubab, Tabla, Sitar and Harmonium. Classes for all instruments will run concurrently on weekends," an organizer said.
Aspiring students can contact the officials by calling on 051-9249213 to learn further details about their registration.
Lok Virsa officials say music classes for all the courses will be held on the weekends at different timings.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2019.
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