ARTS IN PAKISTAN

The trend of traditional arts and crafts have been descended through generations, starting from as early as the Moen-Jo-Daro and Harappan civilizations (5000 BC). They were the first ones to make clay pots and various other artifacts in the subcontinent. Changes and developments in the crafts have a valuable story to tell about the social structure, its altering pattern and the history of the country and its people. Today's crafts clearly symbolize Pakistan's culture. From jewelry and metalworks to hats and rugs, the design itself is the insignia of the rich and proud heritage.

Jewelry
The richest and most elaborate items of jewelry seen in Pakistan are those inherited from the Moghul period. These include gold chokers, bracelets and ear-rings enameled and inlaid pieces are often incorporated into stranded necklaces of pearls, emeralds and rubies in the form of pendants and clasps. Frequently women, particularly tribals and those living in mountain areas, pierce their ears along the outer ridge in order to wear several hoops and studs in conjunction with drop ear-rings. Bangles and rings are particularly popular in Punjab where gold is highly rated as are pearls and rubies. Jewelry still acts as a bank for rural families who feel more secure when they consolidate their savings in the form of gold or silver.

Metalworks
Other items of gold and silver are available for the wealthy in the shape of platters, trays, serving vessels and chalices. Several cities of Pakistan specialize in various metal products. The most popular design is probably the intertwined flowering vine composed of rosettes and arabesques seen on a large number of objects. The techniques of engraving and damascening with metal and other substances can also be applied to wood-carving.

Woodwork
Muslim wood-work emigrated at Partition from Kashmir and made their homes in Swat, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. They are particularly remarkable for their inlay work with metal, buffalo-horn and ivory. The wook-workers of Dera Ismail Khan and Chiniot are highly respected for their brass inlaid products, teh latter particularly for their bold freehand designs, specifically those incorporating scrolls.

Pottery
Potters like metal-workers frequently draw their inspiration from antique objects, having inherited from within the family techniques handed down by the ancient master-potters of Persia and the Arab heartlands. The blue on white ceramic glazes were perfected in Iraq and Syria more than 1,000 years ago and those authentic techniques are still applied to the making of the magnificient turquoise tilework of famous Persian mosques. River mud formed into tiles is painstakingly hand-crafted through each stage of glazing and baking by a handful of family tile-makers surviving around Hyderabad. The kaghazi (paper-thin) pottery of Bahalpur similarly adheres to age-old techniqes. The famous lattice designs enjoy continued popularity while calligraphy, and miniature paintings are a recent addition on vases, plates and wall-pieces. Astoundingly, the foot-driven pottery wheel of Mohen-Jo-Daro is used to this day.

Carpets
Baluchistan is perhaps the major source of folk carpets and rugs of various type. Like most other rural crafts, these are produced primarily for their own use. Contemporary artisans favor the jewel-like beauty of the floral carpets conceived in Persia and developed in India during the Mughal period. Medallion carpets, bearing a vase-like central motif echoed in quarter circles in each corner, also continue in popularity as do hunting or animal rugs.

Fine Arts
Painting is one of the oldest and most important arts. Religious subjects dominated painting in Asian region for the last hundred years. Sadequin is the best known calligrapher. He illustrated and copied the verces of Quran and poetry of Allama Iqbal more beautifully than one could be. Jamal Shah is a famous sclupturist and Gul Jee is famous for his variety of architecture.


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