Artisans’ welfare: Council to promote crafts made functional
NCC has been inactive since 1987
A file photo of an art exhibition. PHOTO: PRESS RELEASE
RAWALPINDI:
In an effort to revive the dying crafts heritage and ensure welfare of artisans across the country, a group of educational institutes, NGOs and members of the National Assembly have brought the National Craft Council (NCC) back to life.
The council was first established in 1985 as an independent body with a mandate to preserve and develop local heritage and provide a suitable market for artisans. The council has been inactive since a couple of years after its establishment.
The reactivated council will work for the betterment of artisans with steps including allocation of funds for their children’s education.
Talking to The Express Tribune, NCC Executive Director Khalid Javed said a survey would be conducted to collect data about artisans as well as various dying crafts across the country.
“The council would provide a platform to artisans across the country to highlight their problems and raise voice for their solution in addition to promoting their products,” he said.
Unfortunately, Javed said, there was no statistical data available with the government or any non-governmental organisation about artisans and the various dying crafts such as block printing and Ajrak blocks.
He said that most craftsmen had given up craft-making as they were finding it hard to meet their financial needs while continuing the profession.
“The council would encourage them to restart crafts making. Workshops and training classes will be arranged for them across the country,” Javed said.
National College of Arts (NCA) Director Nadeem Umer Tarar said Pakistan had excellent crafts and craftsmen that was part of its heritage.
The council is made to protect Pakistani craft heritage from dying. He said that the dying crafts would be revived and the craftsmen would be provided a suitable market to display their work.
The NCC will request the government to ensure use of local hand-made crafts for decoration in its buildings. “The government would be requested to use work of Pakistani craftsmen as decorations at all its embassies,” said Javed.
He said that effort would be made to get a resolution passed at the National Assembly to have a National Artisans Day.
Javed said PPP legislator Nafeesa Shah had been appointed chairperson of the newly-restored body. The NCC will have a director and four vice-presidents one each from the four provinces, he added. Javed said eight educational institutes including NCA Rawalpindi as well as a number of NGOs working on revival of crafts and heritage across the country would be represented on the council.
“It would be an independent body that would work on its own for protection of artisans,” said Tarar.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2015.
In an effort to revive the dying crafts heritage and ensure welfare of artisans across the country, a group of educational institutes, NGOs and members of the National Assembly have brought the National Craft Council (NCC) back to life.
The council was first established in 1985 as an independent body with a mandate to preserve and develop local heritage and provide a suitable market for artisans. The council has been inactive since a couple of years after its establishment.
The reactivated council will work for the betterment of artisans with steps including allocation of funds for their children’s education.
Talking to The Express Tribune, NCC Executive Director Khalid Javed said a survey would be conducted to collect data about artisans as well as various dying crafts across the country.
“The council would provide a platform to artisans across the country to highlight their problems and raise voice for their solution in addition to promoting their products,” he said.
Unfortunately, Javed said, there was no statistical data available with the government or any non-governmental organisation about artisans and the various dying crafts such as block printing and Ajrak blocks.
He said that most craftsmen had given up craft-making as they were finding it hard to meet their financial needs while continuing the profession.
“The council would encourage them to restart crafts making. Workshops and training classes will be arranged for them across the country,” Javed said.
National College of Arts (NCA) Director Nadeem Umer Tarar said Pakistan had excellent crafts and craftsmen that was part of its heritage.
The council is made to protect Pakistani craft heritage from dying. He said that the dying crafts would be revived and the craftsmen would be provided a suitable market to display their work.
The NCC will request the government to ensure use of local hand-made crafts for decoration in its buildings. “The government would be requested to use work of Pakistani craftsmen as decorations at all its embassies,” said Javed.
He said that effort would be made to get a resolution passed at the National Assembly to have a National Artisans Day.
Javed said PPP legislator Nafeesa Shah had been appointed chairperson of the newly-restored body. The NCC will have a director and four vice-presidents one each from the four provinces, he added. Javed said eight educational institutes including NCA Rawalpindi as well as a number of NGOs working on revival of crafts and heritage across the country would be represented on the council.
“It would be an independent body that would work on its own for protection of artisans,” said Tarar.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2015.