Faraway land: Residents get a peek into Kashmiri culture

Artisans get chance to display crafts at Lok Virsa.

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: It is said that art flourishes the most when it is suppressed. This was somewhat visible at Lok Virsa on Thursday where Kashmiris had established stalls showcasing various items depicting their culture and heritage.

Different stalls were set up where Kashmiri dresses, gems, jewellery, embroidery and handicrafts were put on display, along with photographs depicting the hardships of life under occupation and sacrifices endured by Kashmiris.

Visitors also appreciated the taste of Kashmir’s traditional dishes being offered.

The stunning necklaces made usually of silver and artificial gold or brass, bracelets and hair clips, among other traditional things, attracted the visitors.

Music programmes and songs in Kashmiri also enthralled the audience.

“India has been trying to distort our cultural values but we would not let it happen,” commented Sardar Rauf Khan, the director of small industries in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He said they have been keeping their culture alive and want to give a message to the international community that Kashmiris would not surrender and would continue their struggle till independence.

Sher Khan has been making hand-made carpets for the last 40 years and learnt the skill from his father. He said Kashmiri carpets are very famous and are exported abroad.

“Government taxes and hike in prices of necessary items and the technological revolution has been taking a toll on the art,” he shared.

He complained about the indifferent attitude of the government towards skill-based artisans.

“Most of the carpets displayed at the event are made of wool and silk and woven on cotton warp, while some silk carpets have silk warp as well,” he stated.

A lot of hard work is involved in the art but we are not being compensated equally in Pakistan, he added.

Besides ornaments, Kashmiri shawls and woodwork were also on display and were the centre of attraction for visitors.

Nazir Mehmood, an artisan, said Kashmiri shawls are the most admired hand fabrics from their region. Shawls are produced by two techniques, loom woven or Kani shawls and the needle embroidered or sozni shawls, he informed.

Azfar Khalid, another artisan who hails from Kashmir, was busy drawing beautiful designs on a piece of wood. He said he has been dedicated to this craft for the last 45 years.

He said he loved this profession as this was the only source of income for his family, adding that he is thankful to the administration of Lok Virsa for giving them a chance to display our work. We feel here that we are also an important part of the society, he commented.

Our wood-made products are very popular across the globe and especially the Europeans love to buy our products, he said.

Tableaus, songs at RAC

In connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the Rawalpindi Arts Council arranged tableaus and a songs competition among students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Poet and columnist Aftab Zia adjudged the competitions.

At the beginning of the ceremony, a collective prayer was offered for the martyred children of Army Public School, Peshawar.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said the aim behind the competition was to raise awareness about Kashmir as the region is an integral part of Pakistan.

On Wednesday, about 250 pictures were displayed at RAC depicting atrocities of Indian forces in Kashmiri.

“The photos are also a reminder for the United Nations to shun its alleged silence and force India to let Kashmiris decide their fate,” commented Saleha Aurangzeb, a visitor.

The exhibition is open for the public for three days.

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