PAKISTAN RICH CULTURE

Handicrafts mean creativity and transferring one's skills to any piece of paper,wood,stone,cloth,iron or clay.It is the language of art,the expression of love or the medium to tell people how life can have its real meaning. 

Pakistan handicrafts has a rich heritage which is as old as 7000 to 9000 years back. It has imprints of several successive civilizations. Different regions have much to offer to any connoisseur of handicrafts.

Handicrafts are the most striking expressions of individuality of pakistan's regional identities. The color, shape or style of a craft item instantly evokes its region.

  

There are usually five types of crafts.

Textile,decorative,paper,functional and fashion.

Pakistan's exports mainly constitute of different types of handmade products or products made by light machines.

Almost the whole world knows pakistan's leather,cotton and woolen products,its sports goods or its others decorative goods.

But its people have much to offer to the world with their skill and their love to art.

This is called sindhi topi,which stands out for its colorful embroidery and glasswork.

This is khussa which is a traditional footwear with its ends curled up.They are made up of leather with wide range of embroidery in gold and silver thread.

Ajrak is the name given to a unique type of block printed shawls.

Changairs are used locally as serving trays for naans(bread) and for fruits.

This is a handmade fan which is widely used by people living in rural areas to fight power breakdowns and also hung on walls for decorative purpose.

Now we have Matka, the earthen pot for storing water,it not only keeps water cool but adds a refreshing flavor to it.



Lets have a very traditional bed used commonly in pakistan's rural areas. It consists of a frame strung with ropes made from a plant leaves.





In pakistan paranda is very famous hair accessory which women tie with braids.





These are the lanterns which are still used by people who have 
no electricity supply in remote areas.







The traditional chitrali cap is made of lamb's wool. It is seen on every head especially in the cold regions of pakistan.







Peshawari chappal is a traditional footwear worn especially by pashtuns. The sheo takes its name from the city of peshawar where it originates from.



These are only the few from among the huge variety of pakistan's unique handicrafts. this was only an effort to introduce them to you. You will be amazed by the beauty           and uniqueness of those crafts because they are made by 
the people who have preserved it from generations.

see also:

pakistani khussa

kalash people culture


peshawari chappal

HENNA TATOO : THE TRADEMARK OF PAKISTANI CULTURE

Pakistani Mehndi Designs are deemed to be a sign of  celebration in anyone's life. Mehndi (henna) is the thing that is widely used in the world to make hands more beautiful and graceful. Any function or party that is going to happen in Pakistan cannot be complete without mehndi. Bride or even  simple girls cannot complete her makeup without making designs of mehndi on hands and feet because everyone knows this is the trademark of Pakistani culture.




                                   


 In the past we saw mehndi was only used in the marriage ceremonies , but now it can be seen in its informal use also. Now we see lots of new henna designs, such as Indian mehndi designs, Arabic designs, peacock and many more have been introduced to pakistani henna tatoo culture.


                                   


Now  henna design making has acquired a form of profession because the designs are now in great variation. And on any special occassion an expert is consulted for this. And during this henna application a lot more things like glitters,beads and different colors are  used.





                                       



Making henna designs are not associated with formal occassions only, young girls always want to experiment with different designs.


                             


Applying beautiful henna patterns on feet adds to the beauty of any bride, and she  never  misses it during  those special preparations in her life.



                               


In pakistan henna tatoos are mostly made by these tubes, on the pointed top of these tubes a very tiny hole is made to let very little amount of paste out of that tube for making very intricate designs.


                                      


But some professionals use some sophisticated techniques to make flawless patterns.And to add more beauty and to help their customers stand unique at any particular function.



                                     

They are often equipped with kits,which contains different sizes of  noozles,colors,glitters and other accessories. These experts are providing their customers with such services that now it has become necessary in some big cities to hire their services for any grand occassion.



                         


And when the occassion is over the designs get fade day by day, we can reapply them or just get them erased by applying,salt water,hydrogen peroxide or just rubbing lemon on them.

Hope you enjoyed all this information about this beautiful and colorful eastern natural tatooing. which has become pakistan's cultural identity and added as an another item in our main theme of pakistan's unique handicrafts.

FRESH FLORAL JEWELLERY IN PAKISTAN

   The trend of floral jewellery is very ancient,but today with the extensive usage of this trend in fashion shows,TV soaps and films,the demand for floral jewellery is picking up.

                               


This jewellery includes neckpieces,maang tika and bangles.The making of floral jewellery involves a lot of handwork keeping in mind the fact that the design should not only match with the bride's outfits, but also it should also look like real jewellery.


                                


"Also, it is very challenging as each flower must look absolutely fresh till the end of the function even after having been sewed, stitched and strung. Therefore highly skilled staff is involved in doing this work.

                                    


Different colors of flowers are chosen for different occassions. For mehdi which is a day before final wedding ceremony mostly yellow flowers are used.

                                 
                               



And on main day red flowers are selected or other dark colors to match the dress of the bride.


                                           


On the last day after the bride settles in her new family a grand feast is organised for all relatives. which is called walima, a bride chooses light colors in her fresh jewellery collection.


                                   



The bridegroom of pakistan are also not deprived from this style and they opt to wear long garland of fresh flowers on their wedding ceremony.





                                  



                 Actually no occassion goes without flowers even if it be anyone's funeral.




                               


So any event, any function or anything not so special flowers are there to express the feelings which words cannot deliver. so enjoy this beautiful presentation of pakistan culture and art.









 

PAKISTAN GEMSTONES

  Nature has bestowed pakistan with largesse treasures of gemstones. Worlds most desired gemstones such as Emarald,Ruby,Sapphire,Topaz,Aquamarine and Tourmaline are found in pakistan.




            EMARALD                                                                             RUBY
                                                             

                                    





                SAPPHIRE                                                          TOPAZ

                           


             AQUAMARINE                                                 TOURMALINE


                              



In pakistan the regions of KPK , FATA ,  Gilgit Baltistan , Kashmir and Balochistan are rich in these gemstone minerals. Pakistan established many small bodies such as TDA and APCEA to effectively explore and facilitate its mining. Pakistan has yet to attract potencial buyers from across the world.




                     


The north of pakistan is shrouded by three main mountain ranges like hindukush,himalaya and karakorum. These mountains now offers all the precious gems to the world market.




                      




In pakistan regions relating to that northern part have been struggling from 400 years to get these stone transferred from stones to gems.


                                


All these stones have to undergo great care and effort to be in the shape what the world knows.



                                  


                           And finally these gems are turned into beautiful jewellery.


                                 



People living especially in pakistan and india have a faith that a suitable gem can change their fortune that's they which include mostly men wear different types gems which they are advised by someone. But it is not a proven fact.


                                

Hope you enjoyed this brief but interesting description about gemstone in pakistan. where they are found,how they undergo changes,what they turn into and what myths are related to it.

THE TRADITIONAL PESHAWARI CHAPPAL

                                                                         

 




Peshawari chappal is a traditional footwear of pakistan.The shoe takes its name from the city of peshawar where it originates from.





                                                       


Peshawari chappal are worn by men casually or formally usually with shalwar kameez dress. Because of its comfortableness it is used in place of slipper.                                                                                 
                                                        












                                                                           It is designed and made by people with small and simple tools. And most of work is done with hands.       









                                                                                      

                                                                                       
These are often in different colors and designs. And now catering to people's choices the designers have added a lot more new styles.                                                                                 




                                                                                     


Do you know an interesting 
fact about these chappals, its
 sole is made of truck tyres.




                                                       


Sometimes they are decorated with embroidery to suit to the choice of  bridegroom.







 




                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                      

                                                    

They are mostly made with real leather which adds to its comfort. They can resist rough usage and are very durable and as they are made keeping in mind the pathans of peshawar that's why they are expected to bear tough conditions.
                 
                                                                              












                                                                                  No shoe store in peshawar is without these chappals. And now different famous brands have also started making this.             













                                                                                 

This art of making these chappals with hands have been shifting from genereation to generation.












               
Now people have started wearing them with dress other than shalwar kameez also.

























Many famous celebrities like to wear them casually and formally,which added to its worth even more. And its use have been shifted from common people to elite class of society.
















The craftsmen can go to any extent in getting that chappals done.

They should not be confused with chappal kabab,they only share the flat shape with each other.