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.
Read more »Labels: Dr Senta Siller, Dr. Gwendolyn Kulick, Lok Virsa, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:37 AM,
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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,
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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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Lok Virsa Week
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Lok Virsa is planning a special event on Dolls Making with AFA (NGO from Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka aka Dolls Village).
Lok Virsa has planned special events over a week from November 9 to November 15, 2015. Best thing is that you will be able to participate. Here are the details:
Read more »Labels: Doll Makers, Dolls, Lok Virsa
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:50 AM,
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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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