Lineage: Creative duo that crafts mosaic for a living

Kalim and Hina are from the family of Ustad Qadir Baksh, who worked on the Shah Qillah.

ISLAMABAD:

When visitors browse through the colourful stalls at Lok Virsa, little do they realise the effort and time that goes into preparing each handicraft. The artisans are almost always looking at ways to earn enough to last them a few more months.

Mohammad Kalim and his wife Hina have dedicated their lives to the art of making mosaic decorations and fresco painted wooden frames. With smiles plastered on their faces, the couple braved the chilly Islamabad morning to attract potential customers.

As she held out a century-old piece to show a foreigner, Hina spoke Pidgin English.

“This is our family heritage, something we learnt since the day we could walk,” she said.

The craft has been handed down to them through their forefather Ustad Qadir Baksh, whose work can be witnessed at the Shah Qillah in Lahore. Kalim and Hina are the fourth generation to be carrying forth the work.

Kalim reminisced about how his father and uncle taught him to cut mirror and colour it, a rather peculiar activity for a six-year-old. Apprehensive that the skill might fade away, his father discouraged him from pursuing it. Kalim, however, had made up his mind. His marriage to Hina, who also comes from a family of mosaic-makers, furthered his commitment to the craft.

Soon after their marriage, the duo relocated from their native town of Multan to Rawalpindi in hopes of finding a better market. “Our sales were going with foreigners buying our furniture and frames, they seemed to be the only ones who valued the work, but now with all the security threats, I hardly see any of them now,” said Kalim.

Now their main bread and butter comes from the work they do in various mausoleums.



The two elaborated that there are two kinds of mirror work: one that is done on the interior of mosques and hotels, called “meena qari” while the other one involves gold and silver mirror work on furniture. “There was a tradition to gift the bride golden and silver works in her dowry, something that has long ended,” said Kalim with a shrug.

With changing times, the couple managed to incorporate new age ideas into their work as work. Kalim an expert in fresco painting also known as “Multani Nikashi” and oil painting technique that was previously done on camel skin can now be seen on large beautiful wooden frames that give it a more contemporary touch.

“It was my idea. Usually craftsmen only put glass on these frames, I thought why not use fresco and glass? The idea clicked and people are eager to purchase it for their homes,” said Kalim.

Crafting is not their only passion, the couple also trains and mentors a group of girls in their home carefully teaching them the art, hoping that in some way the mirror craft will live on.

Working together since the last 25 years, the two now have three children of their own who along with their education are under the tutelage of their parents. Their youngest, a six-year-old boy, sits next to his father and carefully cuts transparent mirror for his father to paint. Things seem to have come full circle for the creative couple.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2013.