Just came back from Bagh e Ibn e Qasim (Karachi) where Sindh Festival City has been established. Lots of stalls from traditional Sindhi dresses / garments (Gajj, Ralli, Ajrak, Topi), handicrafts (purses, mirrors with Ajrak designs, changeer, vase, key chains) were on display. We did purchased some items.
My sisters were with me. They were concerned about the high prices and were saying that ‘aisi Kareem-abad se itne main mil jati hai… Bhit Shah se 20 rupe main milti hai, yahan 200 main… Sehwan main to sasti milti hain’. lols. But I was impressed with a lady entrepreneur from Jackobabad who was selling traditional style hand-fans, pindi (changeer), and wall show-pieces… There was a show-piece in 3 pieces and she asked for Rs 200 (will post picture shortly). We said Rs 150, but she said in her sweet Sindhi ‘amma… hik piece ko 50 rupiyo lahe chha…kaafi mehnat waro kam aa… Jackobabad khan aai haan.. her shay te bus 20-30 (weeh-teeh) rupiya wadheek pai watha’ (One piece costs more than 50… Its a hardwork.. I came from Jackobabd and taking profit of Rs 20-30 on each item’. The simplicity and sweetness had some impact, we didn’t argue much and took the piece for Rs 200.
Was so happy to see Sindhi ladies dealing with customers with confidence and that too far from their home.
All the negative propaganda and jealousy (which kept on highlighting negative aspects of the festival all the time) about the festival seems so cheap after visiting the festival. Good initiative by people, whoever, gave a chance to these artists to bring their work before the world.
Thats all we bought from there. Didn’t buy any ralli, ajrak kind stuff, as we got links back at hometown to get variety at more affordable prices .
PS: camera results are not that good due to lack of lighting… but these pieces are worth their prices (in fact, price is nothing for the hardwork and confident that Sindhi ladies displayed at festival in marketing their products) :k:
Very nice. I love this kind of stuff. My mom used to look out for such delicate artwork for home decor. Carpets, wall hanging art pieces, chabbas (for roti), khussa, and handmade jewelry boxes - everything was so precious.
I love ethnic crafts, tribal art, vintage and handmade pieces. If I ever get an opportunity to build my dream house in Pakistan (or anywhere sunny!), it will be an artisan's heaven. InshAllah.
Very nice. I love this kind of stuff. My mom used to look out for such delicate artwork for home decor. Carpets, wall hanging art pieces, chabbas (for roti), khussa, and handmade jewelry boxes - everything was so precious.
These all items were there... Its really nice to see people marketing their own products at reasonable price. Otherwise, intermediaries always exploit artists in Pakistan.
I love ethnic crafts, tribal art, vintage and handmade pieces. If I ever get an opportunity to build my dream house in Pakistan (or anywhere sunny!), it will be an artisan's heaven. InshAllah.
There were stamps (replica) of Moen jo Daro and Priest of Moen jo Daro made from clay. They were charging Rs 500 for it and I asked my sister, if we ask Masi Soni kumharan (back home) to prepare this, how much she will charge. She replied ' Not more than Rs 50' and we didn't buy that :(
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