Empowering Women Through Handicrafts: Thatta Kedona Website Launched
Monday, May 12, 2025
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new website for our village handicrafts project, Thatta Kedona, https://thattakedona.net. This platform will serve as a window into our village, its people, their activities, and the various community welfare initiatives organized by the local NGO, Anjuman-e-Falah-Aama (AFA).
In addition to sharing information, the website also functions as an e-commerce platform, offering detailed descriptions—including photos, materials, sizes, and pricing—of our ethnic Pakistani dolls and other beautifully handcrafted items made by the talented girls and women of our village.
At this joyful milestone, we fondly remember the German artist, Graphic Designer and Anthropologist Dr. Senta Siller, who founded this remarkable project over three decades ago and will be celebrating her 90th birthday this year. We also pay tribute to her husband, Dr. Norbert Pintsch, who stood beside her throughout this inspiring journey.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the many volunteers from around the world—especially from Germany—who visited our hamlet, Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, in District Okara, Pakistan, and generously shared their knowledge and expertise with the local community.
We warmly invite you to visit the website and share your feedback with us.
Labels: Culture, Handicrafts, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:48 AM,
,
Celebrating Punjab's Rich Heritage
Friday, April 18, 2025
The Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore recently hosted a three-day Punjab Culture Day celebration, and Thatta Kedona was proud to represent the Sahiwal Arts Council and Sahiwal Division. The event, held from April 17 to 19, showcased the rich cultural heritage of Punjab, featuring traditional music, art, and folk traditions.
Thatta Kedona's stall was a highlight of the event, featuring an array of vibrant handicrafts that showcased the region's unique craftsmanship. The stall's centerpiece was the exquisite handmade ethnic Pakistani dolls, which were a testament to the skill and creativity of local artisans.
The event was honored by a visit from Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, who was impressed by Thatta Kedona's handicrafts. She particularly appreciated the handmade and unique dolls and crafts on display, praising the organization's efforts to promote Punjab's cultural heritage. Provincial Minister Azma Bukhari also visited Thatta Kedona stall.
The Punjab Culture Day celebration is an important event that promotes the region's rich cultural heritage and provides a platform for local artisans to showcase their skills. Thatta Kedona's participation in the event highlights its commitment to preserving and promoting Punjab's cultural identity.
Labels: Dolls, Handicrafts, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:59 AM,
,
Dolls, Toys and More
Friday, March 3, 2017
"Dolls, Toys and More" was launched on April 28, 2012. Prof. Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Senior Expert DGFK, Germany presented a copy of Dolls Toys and More to Dr. Azam Chaudhry, the Dean, Lahore School of Economics. Dr. Norbert also apprised Dr. Azam Chaudhry of what has been happening in the village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka – commonly called Dolls Village - over last two decades.
"Dolls, Toys and More" is a story of two decades of work by NGO in a village called Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka – some 80 kilometres from Lahore and on the bank of River Ravi. How change has come in the village?
Countless volunteers from Germany, Pakistan and also from other parts of the world have worked in the Village Project. The book gives an overview of the Project in detail as well as the description of local travel attractions. The travelogues section describes all places of interest in and around the areas, which will form a broader and touristy impression about the location to the reader as well as the interested tourists.
The life in the village is definitely interesting from the point of view of any urban visitor, but this topic may be discussed separately. An idea can be obtained however by reading the three short stories included in the book. The books also points out to the concept of Mud Housing and the Appropriate Technology and how they are being developed and used in the village.
What was conceived and founded by Dr Senta Siller has surely come of age. The book would not have been possible without the input and huge amount of work by Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller and many others.
Dolls The book ISBN 978-969-0-02411-7 is available at Ferozsons Pakistan and other leading book stores.
"Dolls, Toys and More" is a story of two decades of work by NGO in a village called Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka – some 80 kilometres from Lahore and on the bank of River Ravi. How change has come in the village?
Countless volunteers from Germany, Pakistan and also from other parts of the world have worked in the Village Project. The book gives an overview of the Project in detail as well as the description of local travel attractions. The travelogues section describes all places of interest in and around the areas, which will form a broader and touristy impression about the location to the reader as well as the interested tourists.
The life in the village is definitely interesting from the point of view of any urban visitor, but this topic may be discussed separately. An idea can be obtained however by reading the three short stories included in the book. The books also points out to the concept of Mud Housing and the Appropriate Technology and how they are being developed and used in the village.
What was conceived and founded by Dr Senta Siller has surely come of age. The book would not have been possible without the input and huge amount of work by Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller and many others.
Dolls The book ISBN 978-969-0-02411-7 is available at Ferozsons Pakistan and other leading book stores.
Labels: Books, Dolls, Dolls Toys and More, Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
,
Thatta Kedona” shines at Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
A three day grand cultural event ended successfully on Monday, 14th of November at Lahore Grande, after celebrating the rich and colourful Pakistani culture for three full days. Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition took place from 12th to 14th November and was organised by Daachi Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, which was established in Lahore in 2010 and aims to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of Pakistan. The theme this year was “sustainable Lifestyle”.
There were dozens of stalls, where exhibitors presented the vast variety of their handmade objects ranging from carpets, shawls, clothes, bags and shoes to wall hangings, decoration pieces, salt lamps and recycled paper.
“Thatta Kedona” - a project of Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama based in the village “Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka”, District Okara, was one of the most prominent exhibitors at this exhibition. Amidst the clay pots, truck art themed souvenirs, handmade jewelry, bags and clothes, “Thatta Kedona” was presenting its colourful village toys, including stuffed dolls adorned in traditional clothes, adorable little earrings with tiny traditional dolls hanging from them, and similar miniature finger puppets and pencil holders.
Farzana Zahoor, representing “Thatta Kedona” told that the participation at this festival was a big success for the project. She said that the visitors were not only interested in different types of ethnic dolls but also in tin toys such as mini rikshaws and mini trucks.
Daachi Foundation is successfully promoting the rich Pakistani heritage, the incredible talent of the indigenous craftsmen and their remarkable local crafts. “Thatta Kedona” is looking forward to the next Daachi Exhibition, which will take place in April 2017.
Labels: Handicrafts, Oriental Handicrafts, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:09 PM,
,
The Last Bell
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Story about making bells here
Labels: Handicrafts, Pakistan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5:12 PM,
,
Preservation of the craft
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Young Aslam displays his art work (bedspreads sheets, table cloth, wall hangings, a melee of colour and an extravaganza of design) in Thatta Kedona show room at Lahore under the approving gaze of Dr. Senta Siller. Aslam needs no coaxing to display the finished pieces. As quickly as he spreads his art pieces, he rattles off the names. Persian 1, Persian 11, Masjid Wazir Khan, the palm tree, peacock palm, dancing parrots, the elephant tram and six peacocks, also naming the prestigious places where these designs are in use at the moment.
Aslam represents fourth generation of the family carrying forward the art of block printing that is at the verge on extinction. Block printing represents an age when mastery over art was the struggle of a life time of hard labour and Aslam does not seem to forget this philosophy even thought he has ambitious to innovate and diversify the art of his forefathers in a big way.
Jhando, the master craftsman exported hand painted and printed cottons and silks and velvets to agencies in London and New York. An international nomenclature some seventy years ago and now Calico Prints in Lahore is representing the family name and craft which once enjoyed international repute. Aslam is carrying the tradition further.
Aslam represents fourth generation of the family carrying forward the art of block printing that is at the verge on extinction. Block printing represents an age when mastery over art was the struggle of a life time of hard labour and Aslam does not seem to forget this philosophy even thought he has ambitious to innovate and diversify the art of his forefathers in a big way.
Jhando, the master craftsman exported hand painted and printed cottons and silks and velvets to agencies in London and New York. An international nomenclature some seventy years ago and now Calico Prints in Lahore is representing the family name and craft which once enjoyed international repute. Aslam is carrying the tradition further.
Indeed today Aslam with his skill of colour and stroke work, epitomizes an art technique which Jhando had carried to the pinnacle of perfection. Jhando -- the legendary great grandfather of Aslam -- was of course a figure of epic stature so to say. It was he who left to the family a collection of over twenty two thousand blocks drawn from diverse cultures like Muslim, Mughal and Punjabi cultures and Hindu mythology. The grandfather was illustrious too to be sure with his collection of awards and accolades kept zealously safe even today in velveteen cases.
Block printing is a very fine art that has matured over time. So intricate are the patterns that a single motif may need anything from two to twelve blocks to complete the details. Different block motifs cater to different colours in the same pattern. All this requires dexterity of hand to prevent them from running the other. The grand finale of course is the intricate brush work. Fashioned from local needs these indigenous brushes with all their quaintness high light of the motifs.
It goes without saying that Aslam’s exotic collection that I saw at Thatta Kedona is a treat for eye. Ironically, block printing is a cultural heritage reduced to penury under the influence of a mechanized industrial society and bulk production phenomenon. Yet one has to see it to believe the richness of this art from which even in its quaintness excels the grandeur of modern printing.
Preservation of the craft is a very noble passion but there is a difference in the preservation methodologies and objectives. “It is different to preserve the ancient cultural heritage for the sack of its perpetuation as an art and to do it for commercial purposes,” says Dr. Norbert Pintsch. Thatta Kedona is trying to patronize in order to preserve this (and many more) arts for the sack of those arts in their own original contexts.
Labels: Dr. Senta Siller, Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:00 AM,
,
Pottery and Handicraft Workshops by Monika Kuppler
Friday, July 5, 2013
Monika Kuppler – a veteran volunteer – has arrived in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. She has a long association with NGO work in TGD. She teachers pottery and handicraft in the Women Art Centre. Village women are already waiting for her. She is here till Mar 20, 2013.
Spring is always a very productive season in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka.
Spring is always a very productive season in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka.
Labels: Handicrafts, Monika Kuppler, Pottery
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:18 PM,
,
Rural Development
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Omar M. Ali, Aaron Pinsker
In the past, we have often discussed various opportunities of investment in rural areas. Mostly discussions at consumer and social oriented project forms showed the individuality of the regional possibilities.
Instead of an "either – or” it emerged more of a "this –as well as that" situation, although the combinations may be counter-productive, if the individual characteristics of the one or the other part are not sufficiently taken into consideration.
Read more »
In the past, we have often discussed various opportunities of investment in rural areas. Mostly discussions at consumer and social oriented project forms showed the individuality of the regional possibilities.Instead of an "either – or” it emerged more of a "this –as well as that" situation, although the combinations may be counter-productive, if the individual characteristics of the one or the other part are not sufficiently taken into consideration.
Labels: DGFK, Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Dr. Senta Siller, Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:00 AM,
,
Thatta Kedona Project
Friday, May 3, 2013
The project that was started by Dr. Senta Siller and Dr. Norbert Pintsch in a village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka situated on the bank of River Ravi some two decades ago has come of age. A lot has changed over last twenty years.
Read more »Labels: Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Dr. Senta Siller, Handicrafts, NGOs, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:50 AM,
,
Handicrafts Award
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Handicrafts are still valued by everyone. They are unique, they are creative and they speak of those who made them with hands. During the Handicraft Exhibition, District Industrial Home (sanatzar) of Punjab Social Welfare awarded Anjuman Falah-e-Amma of TGD (Dolls Village). This is an appreciation for those who make dolls and create beautiful toys and other handicrafts
Labels: Award, Handicrafts, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
,
Fine Art of Woodwork
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Engraved woodwork - the name is enough to collectors, travellers and cautiously curious dreaming. Antiquity is the first message of the ancient art. And, woodwork executed in villages of Pakistan is a collector's delight that needs to be preserved.
During the Mughal era, Pakistan produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts. Artisans of Pakistan have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. They are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special types of furniture and decorative items with brightly lacquered woodcarvings and coloured woodwork are still made here and famous all over the world. Gujrat, Chaniot and Multan are particularly famous for woodwork.
What this internationally acclaimed craft of the country needs is an institutional patronization and extensive efforts for preservation. Made in Pakistan wood items are found at different antique shops and but this art seem to be fading away in the face of the factory made items. It can be a potent source of earning for village artisans if attention is paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents responsible for export promotion of art and culture do not see this and the unique potentials and its cultural importance yet.
During the Mughal era, Pakistan produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts. Artisans of Pakistan have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. They are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special types of furniture and decorative items with brightly lacquered woodcarvings and coloured woodwork are still made here and famous all over the world. Gujrat, Chaniot and Multan are particularly famous for woodwork.
What this internationally acclaimed craft of the country needs is an institutional patronization and extensive efforts for preservation. Made in Pakistan wood items are found at different antique shops and but this art seem to be fading away in the face of the factory made items. It can be a potent source of earning for village artisans if attention is paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents responsible for export promotion of art and culture do not see this and the unique potentials and its cultural importance yet.
Labels: Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:44 AM,
,
Appropriate Technology Project
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The 17 year old volunteer Zephanja Arzt from Berlin district was involved in the NGO project of the AFA in TGD for four months. He developed in this period together with the young men in the Mens Centre a model locomotive for a german NGO as well as a glider for the local market.
Last Autumn, he and Head of the TTTC, Mr. Farooq Ahmad, as well as PDP were invited to a workshop about Appropriate Technology by COMSATS in Abbottabad. Because the Mens Centre produces not only handicrafts, which are supplied to the Womens Centre, but it also develops solutions for the use of sun, wind and water in the rural area. A solar cooker and Icefix were introduced in autumn. In the meanwhile, a prototype of a windmill (see illustration) which uses the local wind energy to charge a battery, which is then used to operate an energy saver bulb as well as a radio. There also exists since 1996 a photo-voltaic unit on the roof of the womens centre, which at that time was the largest solar-energy unit in the private sector and even found its way into the school books on the topic of solar energy.
The TTTC also cooperates with an NGO in Cameroun, which follows similar objectives and a columbian initiative. In Cameroun, experiences have already been made with dry toilets, which use excrements for the production of biogas for lighting and cooking purpose as well as the dry remains as fertilizers. The Sulabh-Academy in India is well known in this regard and contacts exist with it since 2006.
The worldwide problems of infrastructure are specially fatal in the urban areas. A solution is still not in sight. The knowledge about the affects of foodstuffs on the human body are still in their infancy; there is still a long way to go, even if the notes on foodstuff packaging suggest the way in the right direction.
The solutions discussed in TTTC are not directed backwards, rather they represent an arc to the High-Tech-Solutions. But these initiatives are hardly available in the urban regions and they are even blocked for various reasons. Conceptual discussion in this regard has also been published in TechnoBiz.
Last Autumn, he and Head of the TTTC, Mr. Farooq Ahmad, as well as PDP were invited to a workshop about Appropriate Technology by COMSATS in Abbottabad. Because the Mens Centre produces not only handicrafts, which are supplied to the Womens Centre, but it also develops solutions for the use of sun, wind and water in the rural area. A solar cooker and Icefix were introduced in autumn. In the meanwhile, a prototype of a windmill (see illustration) which uses the local wind energy to charge a battery, which is then used to operate an energy saver bulb as well as a radio. There also exists since 1996 a photo-voltaic unit on the roof of the womens centre, which at that time was the largest solar-energy unit in the private sector and even found its way into the school books on the topic of solar energy.
The TTTC also cooperates with an NGO in Cameroun, which follows similar objectives and a columbian initiative. In Cameroun, experiences have already been made with dry toilets, which use excrements for the production of biogas for lighting and cooking purpose as well as the dry remains as fertilizers. The Sulabh-Academy in India is well known in this regard and contacts exist with it since 2006.
The worldwide problems of infrastructure are specially fatal in the urban areas. A solution is still not in sight. The knowledge about the affects of foodstuffs on the human body are still in their infancy; there is still a long way to go, even if the notes on foodstuff packaging suggest the way in the right direction.
The solutions discussed in TTTC are not directed backwards, rather they represent an arc to the High-Tech-Solutions. But these initiatives are hardly available in the urban regions and they are even blocked for various reasons. Conceptual discussion in this regard has also been published in TechnoBiz.
Labels: Handicrafts, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:15 AM,
,
Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Located on the offside, between Okara und Faisalabad, 45 Minutes eastward of Harappa.
100 % EXPERIENCE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE PUNJAB,- A PROGRAMME OF ABSOLUTE CONTRASTS !
100 % EXPERIENCE OF RURAL LIFE IN THE PUNJAB,- A PROGRAMME OF ABSOLUTE CONTRASTS !
NO Swimming Pool - NO Alcohol - NO Buffet - NO Bus - N O ...!
Pre-condition for Participation: Covered skin, Respect for the traditional culture !
- Last war of freedom in the Punjab in 1857, Murder of Lord Berkeley by
the Kharel tribe of TGD
- Region of the best buffaloes of the world as well as cattle thieves;
- AFA / TGD at the EXPO 2000 in Hannover and EXPO 2005 in Aichi
- AFA / TGD silver medal for the dolls project IWSA/UNESCO 2004
- “TV-Programme”: channel ONE-sunset, channel TWO-moonshine and stars
Handicraft production of dolls in traditional dresses of provinces and minorities at the Women Centre
Models of Rickshaws and other metal toys at the Men Centre.
Best time for visits: March and October (as there is no air-conditioner in summer and no heating in winter)
Local Boarding and Lodging is available for visitors @ Pak. Rs. 250 per person per day.
Registration for Transport Lahore - Village:
M.Ilyas, AFA, Showroom Lahore, 0303-7 35 69 86
Registration for Self-Transport: Mr Farooq Ahmad, AFA, Man. Director Men Centre 0300-417 43 60
Mrs Farzana Zahoor, AFA, Man. Director Women Centre 0321-697 21 05
Labels: Handicrafts, TGD, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:29 AM,
,
Thatta Kedona at Gymkhana Club
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Labels: Handicrafts, Networking, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:57 AM,
,
Wood Work
Monday, April 2, 2012
Engraved woodwork - the name is enough to collectors, travellers and cautiously curious dreaming. Antiquity is the first message of the ancient art. And, woodwork executed in villages of Pakistan is a collector's delight that needs to be preserved.During the Mughal era, Pakistan produced many intelligent personalities and talented artisans who occupied positions in the Mughal courts. Artisans of Pakistan have instinctive good taste and they have achieved a distinctive excellence in woodwork. They are said to have been employed during the construction of Taj Mahal at Agra and Golden Temple at Amritsar. Special types of furniture and decorative items with brightly lacquered woodcarvings and coloured woodwork are still made here and famous all over the world. Gujrat, Chaniot and Multan are particularly famous for woodwork.
What this internationally acclaimed craft of the country needs is an institutional patronization and extensive efforts for preservation. Made in Pakistan wood items are found at different antique shops and but this art seem to be fading away in the face of the factory made items. It can be a potent source of earning for village artisans if attention is paid to and earnest efforts are made. Sadly, the trained incompetents responsible for export promotion of art and culture do not see this and the unique potentials and its cultural importance yet.
Labels: Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:14 PM,
,
Pakistan Handicrafts
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Ali Adnan Qazaibash
Labels: Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 7:04 PM,
,
New Designs of Thatta Kedona
Monday, February 14, 2011
Labels: Design, Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:27 AM,
,
Handicraft in Men Center of AFA from TGD
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New handicraft are produced in Men Centre of AFA at TGD. Air Glider is another tiny winy toy manufactured by Zephanja from October 2007 to January 2008.
Readers of this blog remember the tin Rickshaw (toy) that is still very famous in gift market.
Labels: Designs, Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:07 PM,
,
Handicraft Project
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monika Kuppler is in the Womens Centre of the AFA in TGD for the fourth time this year. She has helped in the establishment of a Ceramics Workshop, which produces doll-house crockery on the basis of traditional culture and designs with the help of the young village girls.
The NGO, which has now become part of an international NGO network, has received a Seal of Excellence for Handicraft 2007 from UNESCO for its handicraft dolls, however it is still important to develop new marketable products.
The NGO, which has now become part of an international NGO network, has received a Seal of Excellence for Handicraft 2007 from UNESCO for its handicraft dolls, however it is still important to develop new marketable products.
Labels: Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:05 AM,
,
Handicrafts
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Labels: Handicrafts
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:44 PM,
,
