ISLAMABAD, APR 19 (DNA) – A three-day National Exhibition on Textiles opened at Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian under the aegis of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Ms. Zartaj Gul, Minister of State for Climate Change was the chief guest, who inaugurated the exhibition in full view of the national media.

In her address, the minister highly appreciated the efforts of Lok Virsa to document, preserve and disseminate the indigenous craft heritage of Pakistan in such an effective manner.

She said “Lok Virsa is doing a wonderful job by reviving these centuries’ old craft traditions on which we really feel proud.

The interaction of Lok Virsa with younger generation through universities, colleges and schools is also commendable.

This will infuse a new spirit among them about the richness and diversity of our magnificent cultural heritage”.

Earlier, the minister visited each and every stall, met master artisans and discussed with them problems confronting them about the continuance of their crafts.

She offered full support from the federal government for promotion of all traditional skills.

While presenting the welcoming remarks, Ms. Shahera Shahid, Executive Director, Lok Virsa informed that her institution has planned to hold a series of exhibitions and workshops to promote the craft traditions, specially those that have been threatened to vanish due to modern onslaught and to encourage artisans associated with them so that they may be able to transfer their skills to the future generations, which will ultimate result in their survival and continuance.

A large number of students from Iqra University Textile Department, Fatima Jinnah Women University Fine Arts Department and Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), G-6/1-4 attended the opening ceremony and enjoyed thrilling performances presented by young artists to pay tribute to the great philosopher and national poet Dr. Allama Iqbal coinciding his forthcoming death anniversary.

Twenty master artisans in various fields of traditional textiles like embroidery, weaving, Ajrak, Khaddar, Khes, block printing, vegetable dying, Namda and Gabba making, thread making on Charkha (spinning wheel), etc. are participating in the exhibition from all provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab Council of the Arts, Punjab Small Industries Corporation, Balochistan Small Industries Corporation and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Small Industries Development Board cooperated with Lok Virsa for holding this exhibition by sending their master artisans.

The exhibition will continue at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum till Sunday, 21st April 2019. Daily timings of the exhibition are from 10 am to 8 pm. Visitors can come and buy a variety handmade products created by master artisans representing different provinces and regions.=DNA

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