KARACHI: An exhibition was organised on Saturday to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sindh and to showcase Sindhi handicrafts as well as highlight the province’s tradition and creativity of its people.

The event, organised by the Karachi Council of Foreign Relations (KCFR) at a local hotel and attended by men, women, and children, featured a number of items, including hand-knitted goods, exquisite shawls and bangles, all brought together under one roof.

“I design these bangles at home, with the factory operating from my rooftop. I personally choose the colours and designs, drawing inspiration from Sindhi culture. I’ve come all the way from Hyderabad to showcase the hard work my craftsmen and I put into these creations. Bangles have been a significant part of our culture, and I’m proud to play a small role in preserving this tradition,” said Dilshad Ahmed, who was displaying a stunning array of Hyderabadi bangles, rich in colour and creativity. Women were very excited to see the bangles.

The left side of the ballroom featured stalls dedicated to garments, beautifully handcrafted by women from Khairpur and other regions of Sindh. The vibrant reds, oranges, and pinks of the ajraks, along with the stunning hand-painted prints, captivated the visitors. The block-printed cotton unstitched dresses especially caught the attention of women and were a big hit at the event.

Men, women, children throng exhibition featuring Sindhi handicraft

Outside the ballroom, a stall displaying dresses and handmade jewellery was set up by Panah, a trust dedicated to providing shelter and support to women who are survivors of domestic and societal injustices. Panah empowers these women to pursue socio-economic independence.

“We supply this material to underprivileged women in Khairpur, who are then compensated for their work. This approach helps them achieve financial independence and ensures their long-term sustainability,” Najia Siddiqui, a representative of the organisation, told Dawn.

A teenage businesswoman named Khushi was also there with bright eyes and a beautiful collection of jewellery inspired by K-pop and Sindhi culture. This was by far the most unique stall of the exhibition.

“I am very much interested in experimenting with jewellery and this exhibition popped up at a very good time. These bracelets I have made are inspired by the media I consume and also the culture we’re representing here,” she said.

The chief guest of the event was Saeed Ghani, minister for local government, housing town planning, public health engineering and rural development. He appreciated the efforts of KFCR, particularly of Miss Nadira Punjwani, chairperson of the organisation for making an effort towards bringing cultures in the city closer.

“Sindhi culture is a rich one, playing an important role in keeping the country together. Our perception is not that good in front of the world already so events like these are not only improving our image at national level but also on international level. The religious hatred, the caste differences, the differences on the basis of race, these factors are not contributing effectively towards the economy and the image of the country itself, hence, we should all work together in harmony to see a better Pakistan,” Mr Ghani remarked.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024