Next is “Okre Maker” Haq Nawaz. This work has been going on since ancient times. It is an old craft of design making on ” Khussa”. Now a day this art is used in “calligraphy”. Haq Nawaz has been associated with this craft for 30 Years and he has learned this art from ” Ustad Naiz Ahmed Bhatti”. He has won Lok Varsa, Multan Art Council and National craft council awards.

Next is the carpet maker expert Shaukat Pervaiz where a servant is busy working on a hand loom. Shaukat Pervaiz told us that he has been associated with this art for 60Years and their ancestors have been doing this work for centuries. The art of carpet making is the identity of Iranian & Afghan Culture. Multan has always been a great passage. Therefore this craft has take up local impressions 7 so got into the new, present shape. Shaukat Pervaiz told us that the carpets made by hand are sold quite expensively and I often say that it is prepared by extremely poor men and bought by extremely rich. In Multan, carpet up to 2000 Sq. Foot is prepared by hand.

Next is the shop of Glittering Laces called “Gota Kinari’, where we found Tehmina Rafique. She has also inherited this art and taught more than 1000 girls students. this work is done by the fine thread of gold or silver. Multan is famous for it and this art has flourished a lot.

Next is the shop of “Multani Khussa”, where Ustad Allah Buksh is busy in making Khussas. The craft made of leather for wearing is a part of great culture. It is said that this art came into existence after the invasuin of Alexander the great. So in the same respect, the history of Multani Khussa is very old in which the goat skin is used. Ustad Allah Baksh told us that his ancestors have been associated with this craft for seven generations and he is making these Khussas for 80 Years.

Next is Muhammad Zubair who is associated with the art of jewelry making. For centuries this art has continued in Multan, Muhammad Zubair has also inherited this art & his family has been in jewelry making for four generations. He has also written more than 50 books on the designing of jewelry. He learnt this art from his father Muhammad Shafi.

Next we found the shop of “Zar Dozi” where Khalil Ahmed Sayal is present. He learnt this art from his father and his mother was also associated with it. There are many experts of Zar Dozi in Multan. He has been representing Multan in ” Lok Varsa” Since 1985.

Next is Ustad Abdul Rasheed who is into the craft. Where things out of ivory & camel bone are prepared In Multan and especially desert regions women wear jewelry of these. In addition to jewelry, table lamp, lockets & other things are also made. Ustad Abdul Rasheed told us that at first work was done on ivory but now it is done on camel’s bones. He has been in this business for 8 Years.

Next is the Presidential Award winner impressionist Malik Ashiq & Son Abdul Rehman. This art has been in this region for centuries. In 1910 Ustad Abdullah Naqaash introduced the Islamic touch to this art by making lamps of camel’s skin. In Agra, India, the ” Naqaash” of this family are still working. A hall in Serena Hotel Faisalabad has been named after his father and is declared the best hall of Asia.

Then we have the expert of “Kaashi” Muhammad Wajid who also inherited this craft. This craft came to the sub-continent from Iran and Middle East. Muhammad Wajid told us that in 1986, his father Allah Divaya got the Agha Khan Award for his work. he also worked at the Shrine of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam. Multan is Famous for the work of blue, turquoise tiles. He also worked on Bhong Mosque. He also got Lok Varsa & art Council Award.

Then there is the expert of pottery making Ustad Ibrahim. pottery making is an old craft that has continued for generations in their family. He told us that he has been doing this since the age of ten years.

Next is the expert Ustad Ajmal Chistti of Glass-Work. Its is an old tradition, Pieces of Glass are joined to from a specific design on different buildings and for designing utensils or pottery. He has been in this profession for 32 Years and kearnt it from Ustad Shaukat Hussain. he had also worked in Afghanistan & Japan and won many awards.

Then there is Muhammad Arshad “Pattoli Maker” Gold jewelry is made more beautiful with beads & wires and thread. He is engaged in this work for 32 years.

Next is the famous Painter,Artist and Calligrapher Ali Ijaz Nazami. Now he is working on this which has a modern touch to it. He has also won numerous awards. Then we have printer Waheed who makes print on women clothes, these are mad e of special wood. He has been in this field for 3 generations. Then there are carving expert Muhammad Zaman Qamar,” Chitr Kari” is done on gold, Silver & Copper. He told us that 99 names of Allah Almighty are written on a ring that is about the size of a pin. He also won many awards.

The craft men of Pakistan’s first ever Craft Bazaar are quite happy for they have got a place where the people who appreciate or love their work can visit them but they hare demanding from the Government of Pakistan that they should loan on simple conditions so that this art progresses by keeps & bounds. The Craft Bazaar Multan Pakistan is the only Bazaar or market where the facilities are provided for the crafts men to express their art and skill. We hope that in the same way, in other national cities, Craft Bazaar for crafts men are built to keep the arts & crafts alive & to let them prosper.

First time in the history, the comprehensive guide to the Multani Art/Craft work in front of all the world. Latest Art/Craft Pictures are ready to download.

A Rochdale-based artist has been teaching local people the traditional arts and craft techniques of Pakistan to create a new exhibition.

Shaista Nazir, a trained textile artist, visited Pakistan to research the techniques used there to create a wide range of artworks and handicrafts, and also brought back many professional examples. After organising a successful series of workshops since March 2005 the results are being shown alongside the original items at the Threads of Experience exhibition at Touchstones arts and heritage centre in Rochdale.

Techniques learnt inlcuded beadwork, embroidery, and glass work. Photo courtesy Touchstones

The project has been really successful on several fronts,” explained Shaista. “It has introduced the local community to the gallery culture and also given them a chance to take a look at Pakistani rural arts and crafts and have a go.”

Participants turned their hands to techniques like Chabba basket making, mirror work, embroidery and bead jewellery making using traditional tools.

Displays of professtional work from Pakistan are also on display. Photo courtesy Touchstones

The people who took part felt they gained not only knowledge and skills but also found the regular workshops a chance to catch up with friends, relax and enjoy a few hours away from their busy home lives,” added Shaista.

Further workshops are running at Touchstones on Thursday afternoons to complement the exhibition

Brass, Onyx & Wood Crafts

The Handicrafts manifested through Brass, onyx and wood, are known to maintain a proud tradition of handicrafts since 1994 in Pakistan and truly signifying the worth of the products. The art of carving on Metal & Wood items are the real beauties of our hard working Craftsmen. These items are manufactured in small villages by diligent craftsman, and can easily be purchased in big cities. Such crafts include, metal lanterns, mirror frames, decoration pieces and more.

Carpets & Textile

Pakistan has tradition of carpet-making going back thousands of years. Weaving was a developed form of art in the Mohenjodaro in Sind 4000-5000 year ago. The handmade carpets produced in Lahore in the 16th Century are on display in museums in Lahore and elsewhere. Knotted woolen carpets with Islamic designs are part of the culture in both South Asia and the Middle East. In Pakistan, Karachi and Lahore are important centers for the production of fine carpets. Textiles such as bedspreads and shawls are popular, and the Sindh and Baloch people are known for their mirror embroidery, where small mirrors are stitched into the fabric to create glittery masterpieces.

Pottery

The potter at his wheel is a common sight in every village, uninfluenced by modern glamour. Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Gujrat and places around also produce colorful pottery, painted after firing. The blue glazed pottery of Multan dates back to the 13th century with obvious traces for woodwork. Chiniot is also known for brass and iron inlay. Copper and brass work is done within the walled city of Lahore.

Ceramics and glazed pottery are among the oldest art forms in Pakistan, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 B.C.E.). The most popular techniques used include engraving intricate designs into the undercoating of the pottery and then glazing it with colored transparent glazes. Another popular technique is to apply blue designs over white glazes. Pakistani potters are responsible for making the elaborate tiles that decorate mosques and public buildings.

Furniture

Pakistani furniture is known all over the world for its beautiful and intricate designs and the mastery of its craftsman. One of the fine longitudinal cross grains solid wood is known as Rosewood. It is available in the form of dense jungles in northern areas of Pakistan. The age of those trees are approximate 60 – 100 Years. In Asia this wood is only available in Pakistan, although there are much fine RoseWood (timber) available in the world but one can not find solid cross grains which appears on the wood in a brilliant stroke. In local language people calls it ”SHESHAM”. It is also available along the lakes and rivers in Punjab province of Pakistan. Such furniture is famous all over the world for its distinctiveness and beauty.

Jewelry & Leather goods

Metalwork, including inlaid or engraved swords, boxes, dishes, and tea sets made from silver and gold, as well as jewelry with precious stones and pearls, are important crafts. Jewelry is not limited to necklaces, bracelets, rings but also includes hair and forehead decorations and nose ornaments. Leatherwork and basketry are also important crafts. Sindh baskets are colorful and intricate, while weavers in the Northwest Frontier prefer geometric patterns.

The long artistic journey of the artists of Rajpute Naqash family was continued. The time and the leaders changed, but there was no calamity on the art of Naqashi. This art progressed and prosper with continuity. In 1272, a person of Naqash family played very important role for the enhancement of this everlasting art of Naqashi. Elahi Buksh Naqash established the true methods of Naqashi, created mutual coherence in the balnce of colour and painting and the entire world saw new changes and colour patterns of Naqashi. The work of Elahi Bux is present even today, and may be observed. After Elahi Bux Naqash, his son Ustaad Rahim Bukhsh Naqash and later on his son Ustaad Khuda Bux Naqash kept his work of Naqashi and camel skin on the ways of progress even in the period of English rulers. After khuda Bux Naqash his son Abdullah Naqash changed his art of Naqashi according to the demands of modern times. Even in 1910, he, because of his intellect and abilities invented lamp and shade, enlightened with electric bulb. His new invention gave a new life and spirit to Naqashi and the product of Naqashi.

In 1930 Ustaad Abdullah Naqash got gold medal from Nawab of Bahawalpur for his excellent art and received gold medal from British Govt. in 1936 for his beautiful invention. On February 1933, by the grace of Allah Ustaad Abdullah was blessed by a pretty son. The name of baby was Muhammad Ashiq. With the passage of time this personality grew and he recognized as a great artist of 20th century. Muhammad Ashiq Naqash changed his cultural and forfather’s art of Naqashi from traditional methods of those times to the demands of modern time. Malik Muhammad Ashiq Naqash showed his promising Naqashi on vases of camel skin, besides different pots on the articles of wood e.g. furniture, doors, cots, and jewellery boxes and stands etc. He stamped his art of Naqashi on the walls and roofs of various famous buildings of the country. Either it is Awan-e-Iqbal or Serena Hotel, Prime Minister House or assembly Hall, the palaces of Nawabs or the tombs of saints, every building was designed by him with beautiful art of Naqashi.

In a hall of Serena Hotel, Faisalabad, he used his art of Naqashi to decorate, was named “Naqash Hall” on his name. He gained more respect when in 1989, Prince Karim Aagha Khan favoured him with Aagha Khan award. In 1990 Govt. of Pakistan awarded him with presidential award, the Pride of Performance. Remember that, in 1958, Pakistani Governor favoured him with industrial award for his services and patted him for his abilities.

Multan is a historical city.it is in Punjab Pakistan. Multan is not only a historical city but its also a city of ancient civilization like Indus valley Harappa and Moenjo daro,it is the oldest city in Indo-Pak sub continent.

Camel Skin Lamp

The camel skin lamp is a very important handicraft item of Multan city, in this the skin of camel wash washed, than clean and than shaped as desired, after being shaped the lamp was painted with clours and it looks very nice, this painting on the lamp reflects the culture of multan, the camel skin is not only use for making lamps but it is also used for making many types of decorative items these item look very beautiful.

Wooden Handicrafts

Wooden handicrafts is a very big market of handicrafts these handicrafts are almost available in every city of Pakistan but the actual hub is the chenyot city where you can found every type of handicrafts wooden no matter it is furniture or some decorative items. Gujarat is the city which is popular for wooden furniture and its export the high quality of wooden furniture is available in gujrat city. There are many show room, display center of wooden furnitures on G.T road Gujarat.

Brass Handicrafts

Brass handicrafts are every where in Pakistan in Multan, Lahore , Gujranwala , Swat, Peshawar, Karachi, the brass work is very time consuming and hard work to do. brass handicrafts from Pakistan is not as much as it must be but now they are in demand flourishing industry the brass work is not like as much locally but it is exported to other countries of the world Multan has some historical type of brass work where other cities has other kinds of art on brass. The art of brass vary by cities all over Pakistan but some items match with each other.

Camel Bone

Camel bone handicrafts are one of the interesting and attractive handicrafts of Pakistan. These handicrafts express the ability of crafts man that they show on camel bone the camel is the animal of desert and is available in desert areas .camel is also known as the cruise of desert Multan and its surrounding is consist of desert. So the camel bones are easily available local people eat the meat of camel and these bones are easily available and there is not restriction on camel bones craft as it is on Elephant bones . The camel bones craft is the handicraft of Multan and its surrounding peoples and it is available easily in Multan.

Multani Pottery

Multani pottery is very famous for it uniqueness and beauty, it is not only made on white clay the thing that differenciate multani pottery with others is that it is also made on red clay. The red clay pottery of multan is in demand. The colours of pottery shows the culture and art of multan and it is related with the historical construction and art and t and it is lasting from generation to generation the blue pottery of multan can also seen on the historical tombs of Shah Rukne Alam and Bhaudin Zakria Multani. This red clay pottery of Multan attract forigners towards Multan .

Hand Knotted Carpets

Hand knotted carpets are very attractive and beautiful piece of art .the hand-knotted carpet export from Pakistan is about 90 million us dollars hand knotted carpets are actually the product of Persia,and Afghanistan but in the past years of history this came in Indo-Pak sub continent .these workers set here and made carpets before Pakistan, at first in Pakistan they mostly made in homes in swat, Sindh and Baluchistan but now there are many industries of hand knotted carpets in all over Pakistan these industries are in Lahore Gujranwala Karachi, hand knotted carpets are made up of artificial silk, wool, camel wool, goat wool.