Handicrafts of Pakistan
Pakistan has inherited a rich cultural heritage from its history which is as old as 7000-9000 years old. The imprints left by successive civilizations has left a a rich heritage of handicrafts. The different regions with wide variety of tradition and culture, dialects, folklore, music, dresses and costumes have much to offer to any connoisseur of handicrafts. The Kashmiri Shawls, the Balochi and Sindhi embroidery work, the Peshawari chappals (an indigenous shoe ware) and carpets, camel skin lamps of Multan, Gujrati pottery and the wood and brass work done in different parts of Pakistan have charm of their very own. The handicraft shops in major cities and hotels abound in the handicrafts of Pakistan, which are taken as souvenirs by the tourists from the world over. These specially include the handicrafts made of marble, camel skin, wood and ivory work and cane-basket work. In fact the handicrafts are the most striking expressions of the individuality of Pakistan's regional identities. The color, the shape or style of a craft item instantly evokes its region.
Multan, Bahawalpur and Hala are famous for the blue pottery made of special clay found in these areas. These are wrought by the inherited skill of artisans into paper-thin pottery noted for its elegance, delicacy of design and decorative patterns painted thereon.
brassware:teaset
Brass utensils once used to be common in household uses, specially in the villages. Now these have slowly and gradually vanished due to their high cost, but brassware handicrafts can still be found displaying master craft of the artisans. They make decorative plates, vases, bowls and similar other things in exquisite designs reminiscent of the great Mughal period. Products of polished brass have their own appeal but it is the engraved work in colourful and artistic patterns that is most prized. In Peshawar, brass work is done on many things like household utensils of daily use to decoration pieces. In Hindko (one of the much spoken languages in NWFP), brass is called as "Mis," and the individuals who work on this metal are called "Misgar." In Peshawar a big market is allocated for this handicraft, known as, "Misgaran Bazaar," that means, bazaar of brass workers. People of NWFP give household utensils to their daughters in "Dowry," that are made of brass and are beautifully carved. These include water storage and cooking utensils.
