MINGORA:Witnessing a vast variety of cultural intermingling, the centuries-old Swati art of wood carving is still popular in the valley and abroad.

Passing down from generation to generation, the art has centuries old history and deep impressions as Buddhists in Uddiyana (ancient name of Swat) were known for their nifty and stylish designs on rock carvings. Samples of that inspirational art can still be seen everywhere in the ruins of 1st to 9th century stone and rock carvings left by Buddhists.

During the early Islamic period in Swat valley, wood work in the residential constructions was in abundance. Be it the mere door of a house, hujra, shop or a mosque, people would love to carve out floral design in it.

Doris Meth Srinivasan, a curator of South and Southeast Asian Art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, in her research article “The Tenacity of Tradition: Art From the Valley of Swat” writes: “In the fertile soil of Swat, more than flowers and crops has grown: On land nestled between peaks that thrust higher than 5500 meters (18,000?), a rich artisanal tradition has flourished that reflects the cultural intermingling that has taken place there. Among the varied artistic traditions of the Islamic world, the art of the Vale of Swat is unique.”

About the unique composition of Swati arts, she states that indeed, the folk arts of Swat delight in orderly, grid-like alignment. “In that sense, Swati wood carvings and textiles show predictable composition, for the desire to avoid imbalance and haphazardly composed designs puts a premium on symmetrical placement of patterns and rows of patterns. Swati patterns are dense, tightly constructed, breaking up the surface plane as no other Pakistani folk tradition does.

Placement, spacing and motifs are what make the Swati artistic tradition unique,” she states.

Presently, with mixed traces of ancient and modern designs, the wooden furniture has great demand, not only among the local people but also across the country and abroad. Owing to its demand in the market, the art has taken a shape of an industry, supporting large number of people financially.

Dawood Khan, a furniture dealer in Manglawar area, who has been associated with the business for the last 16 years, says that three different parties are involved in making a set of furniture.

“Completion of a single bed takes one week after carvers carve a special Swati design on it, carpenter fits it into furniture and the dyer polishes it,” he said. He added that majority of people liked transparent varnished furniture.

The special furniture featured with beautiful carvings, though expensive than the normal furniture, is in great demand.

Sajjad, a furniture dealer, said that his forefathers noticed the floral carvings in stones left by the ancient people mainly of Gandharan linage.

“The ancient Buddhists rock carvings, which we can see in the surrounding areas, are really beautiful and well-designed. Seeing them, people started replicating them in furniture,” he added.

Sajjad said that the price of one piece of furniture ranged from Rs18,000 to Rs60,000.

There are hundreds of skilled workers of wood carvings in Manglawar, Charbagh, Khwazakhela, Matta, Madyan and Bahrain areas. It requires two to five years to become a skilled artisan.

Imran, 17, a wood carver from Inzar Tangey in Manglawar, said that he had learnt the skill in two years.

“I earn Rs500 to Rs1,000 daily and can carve all designs. When I see the completed furniture with my hand carving it gives me a spiritual pleasure,” he told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2016