Doll-making programme starts at Lok Virsa
Sunday, December 20, 2015
The seven-day ‘Doll Making: Engagement with Artisans’ programme under the ongoing series ‘Craft of the Month’ kicked off at Lok Virsa on Tuesday.
The programme is being organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education and Directorate General for Special Education.
Students from various schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad attended the opening ceremony, which featured live colourful musical performances and a special cultural diversity show by children. The students of Islamabad Model School for Girls, G-6/1-3 presented Kalam-e-Iqbal while paying tribute to great philosopher and poet Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal marking his birth anniversary, famous Punjabi folk song ‘Jugni’ and national songs.
Five traditional female doll makers from different parts of the country are taking part in the doll making programme at Lok Virsa and actively involved in transferring their skills to the children while demonstrating their artisanship. They include Farzana Hussain and Khanan Bibi from Okara, Hafeeza Begum and Humaira Qamar from Chakwal and Fouzia Naheed from Islamabad.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CAAD) Barrister Usman Ibrahim was the chief guest. Director General, Directorate General for Special Education Naeema Bushra Malik, was also present on the occasion. Renowned puppeteer and member Lok Virsa Board of Governors Farooq Qaiser represented Lok Virsa at the event.
In his welcome note Farooq Qaiser informed that the ongoing craft of the month series aims at promoting traditional skills, giving knowledge to younger generation about the importance and utility of different crafts and providing opportunity to youth to learn about Pakistan’s rich, diverse and pluralistic cultural tapestry. “It also aimed at encouraging youth to value dignity of labour, foster ownership for their culture, create respect for different professions and character building. It would also help them to understand the contribution of artisans in the sustainable development of their community and country at large,” he added.
Chief guest Minister of State for CAAD Barrister Usman Ibrahim said that children are the future of Pakistan. The minister assured full cooperation on the part of his ministry for the successful holding of the on-going series of the program by Lok Virsa.
Later, Minister formally inaugurated the doll making program by cutting a ribbon. He also visited different doll work displays and met master artisans and children participating in the program.
Talking to media Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed said that they have initiated this program for students and young children around folk crafts. “Our Heritage Museum highlights one craft for a week every month and have artisans and experts available for children to engage and learn from them. These craft-persons not only display their crafts and make them in front of the people but also teach and have materials for them to experiment with the medium. This we hope will give hands on opportunity to become familiar with the folk crafts,” she added.
The training programme will continue till Sunday, November 15, 2015. The registration is free. So far, 45 students and children aged 6-14 from various schools of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been registered. Daily timings are 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. Interested parents can get their children enrolled by contacting Lok Virsa Museum Section on 9249200 or 0300-5204755.
Labels: Doll Makers, Dolls of the World, Lok Virsa, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:30 AM,
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