Happy Birthday to Dr Senta Siller - Mother of Dolls of the World
Sunday, November 24, 2019
On the eve of the birthday of Dr Senta Siller (17 November), volunteer from the former bazar "Handicraft from the World"/ Dolls from the World, with samples from Pakistan, Camerron, Colombia, a.s.o. which were several times in the Ethnological Museum in Vienna, around 2015; got together at Palace Wilhelminenberg Vienna. The discussed subjects of mutual interest like culture and preservation.
Labels: CulturaeV, DGFKeV, Dolls of the World, Dr Senta Siller
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:13 PM,
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Village Project on Express News
Monday, March 11, 2019
Labels: Documentary, Dolls of the World, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 7:58 AM,
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Village project on Dunya News
Monday, January 14, 2019
Labels: Documentary, Dolls of the World, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:48 AM,
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پاکستان میں 'گڑیاؤں کے گاﺅں' کی جرمن ملکہ
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Read in Dawn
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dr Senta Siller, TGD, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:56 AM,
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Ramla's Journey of Hope
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Ramla Akhtar
I'm in Punjab. Making micro-documentaries. As part of the Hope Express project... which the team decided to convert into a short films/ mini documentaries project - rather than a train journey project. So I grabbed my brother's Sony Handy cam, and decided to film whatever inspires me on an unplanned journey.
I went to PakPattan from Aug 3-6, returned to Lahore and stayed a night at the beautiful and gifted fashion entrepreneur Maria B's. Met S A J Shirazi, a traveler n prolific blogger/ writer.
He pointed me to Thatta Ghulam da Dheroka, where the Thatta Khedona brand hand dolls originate from. I let go of an obsession to 'go up North' and hopped on a car, bus, rickshaw, van and finally a taxi to get here yesterday.
Back to Lahore today and wondering what next? Don't want to stay in one place for too long! Hope to settle in a new place in Lahore or go elsewhere - I have a mental plan to return to Karachi by August 18. Let's see where Allah takes me next between today & then!
My wonderfully caring hosts at PakPattan (Dastgir of Sabri Langar Khana) & Lahore (Afia & family) have made an uncertain journey very comfortable!
Alhamdolillah!
I miss going North, but right now, carrying the message of a benevolent transformation across to people, while watching the Face of God wherever I turn, seem to take precedence as an intent!
Allah does best!
Related: Ramla
Labels: Dolls of the World, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:00 AM,
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Exhibition Impressions of a Dolls Village in Punjab
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Read more »
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Exhibition, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:13 PM,
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Thatta Kedona Products
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Products sold under the name of Thatta Kedona are already known in Pakistan and abroad since 1973. The hand crafted dolls in the attire of the regional provinces and minorities, in sizes of 20cm and 50cm, whereby the larger dolls have real hair, are special product of the Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (NGO), which has been able to maintain the quality over the years and exhibits, collects and sells these dolls at many platforms.
The credit for this achievement goes above all to Dr. Senta Siller, the German graphic designer born in Vienna, who spent five years from 1993 to 1998 in the village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka and established the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama, which trained about 120 women from the village in the making of these dolls. Income generating measure for the people of this rural community based upon the traditional culture.
Read more »Labels: Dolls of the World, Networking, Products, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:00 AM,
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Doll-making event aims to teach children about heritage
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
By ASMA KUNDI — in Dawn
Handmade dolls on display at Lok Virsa on Tuesday. In the other picture, dollmakers at work. — Photos by Tanveer Shahzad
ISLAMABAD: When her teacher said the class will be attending a doll-making workshop, 14-year-old Rohi Pervez from Government Model School was very excited.
“I love handmade dolls in traditional dresses and jewellery. Now I can make one for my little sister as well,” a very happy Rohi beamed while attending the first day of a week-long doll making event at Lok Virsa on Tuesday.
To promote Pakistan’s traditional skills and heritage and to raise awareness about them among the youth, Lok Virsa is holding a series of programmes titled ‘Craft of the Month’ where one craft is focused on every month.
After truck art and pottery making, this month Lok Virsa hosted the opening ceremony of a workshop titled ‘Doll Making: Engagement with Artisans’.
Four doll makers from Okara, Chakwal and Islamabad are displaying their mastery of the art at the event.
They put on colourful displays of their dolls, decoration pieces and tiny doll dresses that they had made earlier and taught children how to hand make dolls and how to fashion traditional, Pakistani dresses for them. All the dolls were made from local material.
Handmade dolls on display at Lok Virsa on Tuesday. In the other picture, dollmakers at work. — Photos by Tanveer Shahzad
One doll maker, Hafiza Begum from Chakwal, told Dawn that she had been making dolls for some 14 years.
“People don’t buy handmade dolls a lot; they prefer mass produced, plastic dolls which cost more. However, foreigners like our work and buy handmade dolls at exhibitions and whenever they visit.”
Some 40 children from different schools administered by the Federal Directorate of Education attended the event. The Directorate General for Special Education also nominated a group of 12 special children to learn the art of doll making.
Students huddled around the doll makers and tried to learn the art. They picked out the fabrics they would use and had a wide selection of colourful threads to choose from. The boys were just as excited about the workshop as were the little girls.
One student, Mohammad Sami Khan, was particularly good at learning how to make dolls and even helped his friends along.
Eyes shining with excitement, little Sami said: “People think only girls like dolls, but I am enjoying this so much. Doll making is so interesting.”
A teacher accompanying the students, Rehana Younus, said: “The children are very excited and happy and are hanging on to every word of the doll makers.”
To give the children a more realistic taste of village life, a folk band performed at the event. The band sang national songs and Qawwalis.
Students of Islamabad Model School for Girls performed a show themed around cultural diversity in which they put on dances from all the provinces.
Talking to Dawn, Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said the programme was initiated so children would be more aware of their roots and traditions.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Barrister Usman Ibrahim, who was the chief guest, appreciated Lok Virsa’s efforts towards preserving the heritage and engaging children in the process.
He said: “Events like this will create an interest among children about their traditions and culture.”
Renowned artist and puppeteer Farooq Qaiser also attended the opening ceremony. He said: “Doll making is one of the oldest and most popular forms of art in Pakistan. It started off with clay dolls and now we have ones made from fiber glass. Dolls were our friends when we were kids and these handmade ones also portray our culture and traditions.”
Labels: Doll Makers, Dolls, Dolls of the World, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:45 AM,
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Cultural skill: Carrying forward the tradition of doll making
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Appeared in Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: A week-long doll making workshop for children kicked off at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Tuesday.
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| Some 45 school students are attending the workshop. PHOTOS: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS, LOK VIRSA |
Themed “harnessing culture with education”, the workshop is a joint venture of Lok Virsa, Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and the Directorate General of Special Education. It aims to create a linkage between folk crafts and education, especially among young students.
Puppeteer and Lok Virsa board member Farooq Qaiser, in his welcome speech, said one of the main agenda of such an initiative is to promote and transfer cultural skills on to the next generation. Qaiser said dolls keep children company and entertain them when they are alone.
“Doll making is an indication of innocence, friendship and honesty and one of the best elements of our culture. This craft should not be forgotten. It should be encouraged as much as possible,” Qaiser said.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Barrister Usman Ibrahim, who inaugurated the workshop, lauded Lok Virsa’s initiatives for promoting folk crafts and culture.
He said the public-sector education institutes have outperformed the private one in Islamabad. He lauded the workshop which he said would familiarise students with tradition and called for more such programmes.
Islamabad Model School for Girls G -6/1 Principal Ghazala Yasmin said such activities serve as a catalyst for creativity and help in flourishing a healthy mindset. She said the workshop would inspire students and help them pick up productive activities.
Some 45 students from various schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are attending the workshop, which concludes on November 15.
Other craft workshops in the pipeline are truck art, pottery marking, weaving, block printing, stone carving, lacquer art and wax painting.
Labels: Doll Makers, Dolls, Dolls of the World, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:00 AM,
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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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Doll-making workshop kicks off
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Appeared in Daily The Nation
Islamabad - Seven-day traditional doll-making workshop kicked off yesterday, involving young craft persons to learn this art directly from masters in the field at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa.
As many as 45 students from various educational institutions of twin cities participated in the workshop while five traditional female doll-makers from different parts of the country, would impart the training and share their master-skills through demonstration of their artisanship. The participants will learn to make ethnic dolls, dressed up in the traditional costumes to highlight Pakistan’s folk culture and its living traditions, practiced by a dominant majority of its people.
The workshop is part of Lok Virsa’s on-going series `Craft of the Month’ organized by Lok Virsa in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education and Directorate General for Special Education.
Barrister Usman Ibrahim, Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CAAD) inaugurated the workshop and appreciated the contribution of Lok Virsa in creating a linkage between culture and education.
He said “Children are our future and we must prepare them for a better Pakistan. The way Lok Virsa is creating awareness among them is praiseworthy.” The minister assured full cooperation on the part of his ministry for the successful holding of the on-going series of the programme by Lok Virsa.
Renowned puppeteer and member of Lok Virsa Board of Governors, Farooq Qaiser informed that the major objective of Lok Virsa is the promotion of Pakistani culture and its transfer to the next generations.
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 encourages youth to value dignity of labour, foster ownership for their culture, create respect for different professions and character building. It helps understand the contribution of artisans in the sustainable development of their community and country at large, he added.
The 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 but also make them in front of the people. This will give a hand on opportunity to become familiar with the folk crafts.
“This is an experiment of sowing the seeds of pluralistic society in our younger generation. A generation that, we hope, will take care of our country in future and make it into a truly pluralistic society where people of all cultures, languages and traditions living in Pakistan will fully own each other as valued Pakistani citizens,” he added.
Labels: Dolls, Dolls Makers, Dolls of the World, Lok Virsa, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:34 AM,
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The doll makers
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
The idea behind the Dolls of the World took birth in Pakistan when Thatta Kedona - a self help project - started in small Punjab village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka in Pakistan and NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AeFeA) was registered in 1999. The rest is history as they say.
AeFeA has grown multidimensional over time. Now AeFeA cooperates with six local NGOs all over Pakistan from Karachi to Hunza and in many countries around the globe. In Pakistan, the project also enjoys cooperation of prestigious educational institutions – Bahaud Din Zakriya University Multan, Indus Valley School for Art and Architecture, Karachi, School of Visual Art, Lahore, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi – interested in heritage, culture and or agriculture.
Women from other countries heard about the success of the project in Pakistan through DGFK newsletters and other media channels as well as through word of mouth (mostly from diplomatic corps housewives) and invited Dr. Senta Siller - Mother of Dolls - to start similar projects in their countries. In Cameroon, three independent NGOs -- Akwatinnighah (1998), Akaanhong (2002) and Center of Appropriate Technology in (2001) are working where over 90 persons are involved in handicrafts and appropriate technology with support from Bamenda University of Science Technology, Bamenda.Tanto Mejor Por La Paz, Saboya is working in Colombia in cooperation with four independent local NGOs or similar organizations since 1999. Over 60 persons are busy in handicraft with collaboration from Dept of Environment Technology National University in Bogate and AeFeA.
Besides, AeFeA has networked with International Dolls Museum Flateyri and University of Reykjavik in Iceland and Benaki Museum Greece. In UAE-Dubai, AeFeA is participating in Global Village Expo every year since 2001. In Germany, besides most German senior experts coming to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, Dolls of the World project has support from Institute for Planning and Consulting, Potsdam.This international community of like minded people has come a long way. Sky is their limit.
Labels: Dolls of the World
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:10 PM,
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Dolls of the World
Friday, March 13, 2015
A project that Dr Senta Siller started in a small village Thata Ghulamka Dheroka on the bank of River Ravi (then unknown to the world) in early 90s has brought so many visible changes.
Over last two and a half decades the village has come to be known as Dolls Village, the artisan of the village who produce handmade dolls and toys are now trainers passing the skills to next generation, the dolls are collectors’ delight and are seen all over the world in museums as well as in homes of people who love local cultures, diplomats and other foreigners and many more. Visitors of famous Lok Virsa National Museum, Islamabad find Thatta Kedona dolls there and appreciate the authenticity of the dolls.
What is more, the project has given birth to similar project in Cameroon, Colombia, Iceland and Germany.
Combined with research and designs by Dr Senta Siller and skills she taught to the village women is now a source of income generation for to the woman who perpetuate the traditional culture.
The mother project in Pakistani village has daughters (similar projects in other countries) as well as projects like Appropriate Technology,
Communication, Housing and Information.
Best part is the project is that Dr Senta Siller is now laying the foundation of yet another coopration with another village NGO in the vicinity of Islamabad (stay tuned for more on this).
Labels: Camcatbam, Cultura Landgut Borsig, Dolls of the World, Dr Senta Siller, Lok Virsa, Museum, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Tanto Mejor
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:58 AM,
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Cameroonian Dolls Widely Appreciated Around the World
Monday, February 23, 2015
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dr. Senta Siller, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:12 AM,
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Dolls Village
Monday, January 26, 2015
Labels: Dolls of the World, Dolls Village, Dr. Senta Siller, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:06 AM,
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Dolls of the World wish you Happy New Year
Thursday, January 1, 2015
From Dr Senta Siller and Dr Norbert Pintsch
Labels: Dolls of the World
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:00 AM,
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Dolls of the World
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Labels: Dolls of the World
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:19 AM,
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Dolha from TGD
Monday, September 15, 2014
Read more »
Labels: Dolls of the World
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:30 AM,
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Dolls of the World
Saturday, July 19, 2014
{Urdu Text - Click to Enlarg}
Labels: Dolls of the World
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:35 PM,
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Volunteers Meet at Dolls of the World Exhibition
Monday, July 7, 2014
Dolls of the World from different projects are creating waves in Germany these days. Dolls were displayed for a six weeks in an exhibition held in Cooperative Loan Bank in Potsdam, Germany.
The Exhibition offered an opportunities for city government to get some real good ideas, Questions and Answers sessions enables people with special interest (perhaps coming volunteers) to know about the projects from far and wide of the world and best of all, the exhibition was a meeting point for old and new volunteers. Dr. Senta Siller, Gertrud Baier, Dr. Karola Groch, Renate Perner, Sabine Piltz were seen among those who visited the exposition. Some glimpses from a week long activity:
Read more »The Exhibition offered an opportunities for city government to get some real good ideas, Questions and Answers sessions enables people with special interest (perhaps coming volunteers) to know about the projects from far and wide of the world and best of all, the exhibition was a meeting point for old and new volunteers. Dr. Senta Siller, Gertrud Baier, Dr. Karola Groch, Renate Perner, Sabine Piltz were seen among those who visited the exposition. Some glimpses from a week long activity:
Labels: Dolls, Dolls of the World, Dr Karola Groch, Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Dr. Senta Siller
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:28 AM,
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