Thatta Kedona

Culture is a Basic Need

Thatta Kedona at DAACHI Exhibition 2016
Thursday, April 28, 2016

Ali Amjad, Deutsche Welle, Geh. Redakteur, Urdu Programm, Senior Editor, Urdu Service

Thatta Kedona participated in the DAACHI Exhibition 2016 held from 16 to 18 April 2016 at the Lahore Grande (near Gymkhana), every day from 10am to 8pm. Large number of interested people visited Thatta Kedona Stall.

Cultural toys and dolls of Thatta Kedona were highly appreciated the organizers as well as the exhibitors, who said that they were missing the beautiful handicrafts from Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka for quite a while now.

Many visitors were astonished to see the fine quality of the items, produced at the Women Art Center in the village. With the passage of time many entrepreneurs have started copying the “Thatta Kedona” products but their products lack the acuteness and fineness of the products that were created under the guidance of Dr. Senta Siller, the German lady, who started this project back in 1993.

Labels: Amjad Ali, Dolls, Thatta Kedona, Toys

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:20 AM, ,

Dr Senta Siller in Pakistan
Monday, April 4, 2016

Dr Senta Siller was in Pakistan where she had a very busy time in research and development, meeting people from research specialties to local NGOs and artisans, and also giving guidelines to Thatta Kedona artisans for Lok Virsa Mela (April 2016). Here are some of the images of her activities while in Pakistan:

Senior Researcher Dr Senta Siller at National Data Base of Lok Virsa, Islamabad that includes a library for the benefit of scholars on subjects of Cultural Heritage.

Labels: Dr Gwendolyne Kulick, Dr Senta Siller, Lok Virsa, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:37 AM, ,

Preparation for participation in Lok Virsa Mela
Saturday, April 2, 2016

The unique handmade cultural dolls and toys are a great attraction for visitors at the annual Lok Mela held at under the aegis of Lok Virsa Islamabad. The doll makers of the Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (aka Dolls Village) also eagerly look forward to this international even where they take part and display their art (cultural dolls dressed in authentic attire from different places in Pakistan, educational toys and handicrafts).

Dolls and toys makers have come a long way since the inception of the project. Thanks to the research and guidance of senior German Volunteer Dr Senta Siller and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch that the local artisans produce quality products that fascinate and attract attention of a lot of people who are interested in cultural toys and handicrafts.

We are preparing to participate in the upcoming Lok Virsa Mela later this month. See you there.

Labels: Doll Makers, Dr Senta Siller, Lok Virsa, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:24 AM, ,

One Baby One Tree - 2016

Each year, AFA (the village NGO) celebrates spring in a unique way. Thanks to senior German Volunteers who gather in Thatta Kedona Ghulamka Dheroka (aka Dolls Village) and arrange a colourful get together where sapling of decorative and floral trees are distributed among the residents. The local land is very fertile and the trees bloom in the village all round the year.

Result: each home has at least one flower tree and one fruit tree in their courtyards and or backyards. That gives a very serene look to the whole village. In addition, most homes also have local herbal trees like Moringa, Aloe Vera and more in their kitsch gardens.

This year, Mr Farooq Ahmed from TTTC of AFA in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka distributed the saplings in the Basic Health Unit.

Labels: Environment, Local Herbs, One Baby One Tree, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:51 AM, ,

Annual Distribution of Books in Village Schools 2016

Over quarter century ago, Senior German Volunteer Dr. Senta Siller had conceived and implemented the idea of giving books to the students of two government schools in Thatta Kedona Ghulamka Dheroka – the Dolls and Toy Village to promote education in rural community. At the start of academic session, AFA - the local NGO - distributes books (and stationary items) among the students of Government Girls Primary School as well as in Government Boys Primary School in the Village.

This tradition has become a milestone in the lives of students of both the schools and (as well as their parents). On the one hand, the students compete and wait for the Distribution of book and on the other, it takes away some of the financial burden from parents shoulders.

This year, Principal Mr Ashraf and Vice-Principal Mrs Sonia from The Valley of Knowledge School, Lahore along with 7 pupils, Ahmad Jalal from Kids Campus, Principal Mrs Rukhsana with 6 pupils from Okara and Head Master and teachers from boys and girls school in TGD and young students attended the event.

Have a look at these images and it will give you the feeler of the atmosphere and show the shine on the faces of students.

"AFA (NGO) takes keen interest in the education of the children in the Village," said Dr Norbert Pintsch, a senior German volunteer.

Labels: Distribution of Books, Dolls Village, Education, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:25 AM, ,

Annual Quality of Life Competition - 2016

Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka local NGO (AFA) has been holding quality of life competition under the Preservation of Cultural Heritages Program where prizes are given to house owners for specially interesting details on mud homes. This has been a great way to slow the spread of brick housing and also to retain the traditional housing to give the visitors an impression of life rural Punjab.