LAHORE: The 13th Annual International THAAP Conference 2024 started on Friday with paper reading sessions for a gathering of scholars, historians, archaeologists and educationists from across Pakistan.

Higher Education Commission Chairman Professor Dr Mukhtar Ahmed inaugurated the conference and praised THAAP’s commitment to advancing knowledge and engagement with cultural heritage.

Prof Pervaiz Vandal spoke on the theme, ‘Rivers of Harappa’, as a gateway to understanding a unique civilisation known for its peaceful coexistence.

“Spanning regions of present-day Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, the Harappan civilisation thrived through trade rather than conflict, with rivers as its lifeline.”

Mr Vandal emphasized the need to revitalise our own rivers, honouring the Harappans’ sustainable relationship with these essential resources.

The first day of the conference featured three sessions of presentations, each delving into various aspects of Harappan life, culture, and ecological challenges. In the first session, chaired by Dr Munazzah Akhtar, Muhammad Areeb Khan presented his study on ‘Indus Downstream Challenges’.

Khan’s research highlighted modern infrastructure’s impact on the Indus Delta, bringing attention to the environmental threats facing the region, including the ecologically vulnerable Kharochan Delta.

Dr Munazzah Akhtar shared her own research on the architecture and ornamentation of buildings in the Indus Valley, illustrating how the region’s unique structures reflected centuries of cultural fusion.

A documentary based on the findings of the first Ganweriwala dig was screened, featuring insights from documentary maker Atef Amjad and academics Dr Zeeshan Haider and Dr Inamullah. They highlighted the vast historical potential waiting to be unearthed, stressing the need for modern technology and institutional support to fully explore Ganweriwala.

In the second session, chaired by Dr Fareeha Zafar, a paper on Raza Naeem’s work was presented focusing on themes from Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s novels that evoke the symbolism of rivers as life-sustaining yet vulnerable forces. Through Tarar’s characters and narratives, the paper underscored the fragile balance between civilisation and nature, echoing the environmental themes central to Harappan culture.

Dr Sadia Pasha Kamran followed with a presentation on her project, ‘Letters from Bano,’ which used characters such as the priest and dancing girl from the Harappan Civilization to connect with contemporary sociopolitical, environmental and feminist narratives. Through this innovative approach, Ms Kamran’s project broadened the boundaries of art history, making it more inclusive and socially relevant.

Dr Fareeha Zafar presented her paper, ‘The Harappan Rivers: Class, Gender, and Society, discussing the societal role of women as indicated by Harappan seals and artefacts that depicted women as goddesses and figures of prominence, suggesting an equitable status for women in this ancient society.

She highlighted that fertility and trade were integral to Harappan beliefs, with seals often depicting deities connected to these concepts. Her analysis emphasised the civilization’s unique matrilocal tendencies, suggesting a higher status for women in contrast to patriarchal norms.

The third and final session of the day explored Harappan cultural identity and traditions, with contributions from researchers across disciplines. Sidra Ashraf’s paper examined the influence of rivers on Harappan musical traditions, noting how rivers like the Indus and the Saraswati shaped not only the civilisation’s agriculture and trade but also its artistic expressions.

Dr Anila Zulfiqar’s presentation on Harappan folklore emphasized the integral connection between people and their environment, with rivers as focal points of myth and social identity. Using an interdisciplinary approach, she illustrated how seasonal river fluctuations might have influenced Harappan society’s stories and traditions.

Prominent historian Iqbal Qaiser closed the day’s sessions with a study on the cultural symbolism of Harappan jewellery artefacts and popular folk songs. His research showed that while Harappan jewellery might differ from contemporary designs, it held significant emotional and cultural value, linking human sentiment to adornment.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024