Rich Baloch culture, a feast for Lok Mela visitors
Baloch Folk Dancers at Lok Mela
Islamabad—The rich culture and traditions of Balochistan displayed here at the ongoing ‘Lok Mela’ serve as an eye-catching attraction for the visitors with the arts and crafts of the province. The Balochi pavilion set up by the Balochistan Culture Department in collaboration with Lok Virsa showcases the indigenous folk culture in a creative and interactive manner.
It presents the richness of Balochi culture, arts, crafts, folk music, rituals, traditions, cuisine and folk entertainment while the stalls are setup with Balochi architectural touch of gates and arches. The Balochi contingent includes 50 craftspeople, 20 folk artists and musicians and four folk dance groups each comprising 10 to 15 dancers/performers. Master artisans are Kaneez Fatima, Malukan Bibi, Aziz Fatima, Natasha, Hazar Naz, Umeeda Bibi, Husna Bibi, Sajida Khan, Saba, Marzia Khanum, Kubra, Rukhdia and Rukhsana Bibi in Balochi embroidery, Muhammad Iqbal and Manzoor Hussain in carpet weaving, Muhammad Siddique and Muhammad Akram in Khaddi (handloom) weaving, Miral, Dilshad, Tariq Mehmood and Abdul Khaliq in leather work, Malai in needle work, Muhammad Hassan in leather embroidery, Rozi Khan in Balochi chappal (shoe) making and others.
Among them, female craftswoman Kaneez Fatima is a 42-year-old artisan of Balochi embroidery. Being an educated artisan, she has carried on this centuries’ old tradition from her mother and devoted 30 years of her life to this art. Kaneez stands out not only for her excellence but also in her tireless propagation of this ancient art by imparting it to the future generations.
Balochi dance group are Pushtoon Athan dance party, Leva (camel dance) party, Balochi Chaap party Noshi and Balochi Chaap party Kharan
Hello Waja,
ReplyDeleteI was just reading your article about Balochi Embroider and trust me you have mentioned really well about Balochi Culture.
Balochi Embroidery is always fascinating and gives a traditional though stylish look. There is a lot of work being done in past couple of years and designers are specializing in it.