Multimedia presentation: Enchanting visuals from the province down under

An art historian shares her favourite images from Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD:

With Balochistan making the headlines this week, it was the right moment to introduce its people, rich diverse culture and craft to Islooites in a series of visuals.

Through a multimedia presentation on “Balochistan: the other side” at the National Art Gallery auditorium on Thursday, historian Naheed Jafri Aziz conveyed her first-hand impressions about the restive province. The landscape, people and rituals of Balochistan presented a collage of a culture most visitors had never experienced on their own.

The subjects ranged from anecdotal history, Aziz’s travels to Balochistan, a discussion on the taxonomy of the costumes and embroidery motifs and styles of each region in the province, as well as the rituals, codes, myths and superstitions were interwoven in a rich tapestry. The presentation was based on her extensively researched yet-to-be published book that promises a sensitive documentation of Balochistan.

Some 40 hand-embroidered dresses were also on display, with some vintage pieces mounted on panels. “This work is exquisite, I have never seen anything like it,” said Ms Akhtar, a visitor at the event.

Paintings by known Balochi artists such as Jamal Shah were also showcased.

An internationally-recognised art historian, Aziz has co-authored a prize-winning book, “The Kashmiri Shawl from Jamawar to Paisley”. Considered amongst the country’s pioneers in fashion, she has served on the Board of Governors for the National College of Arts, Lahore and the Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2012.