Pakistani Artisans and their Handicrafts

The culturally rich land of Pakistan has a long history of arts and crafts. Not only is the country notable for its amazingly beautiful architecture dating back to the Indus Valley civilization, but it has a name in the production of various forms of art and crafts.

From pottery, textile, embroidery, sculpture, and painting to the unique and intricate designs of handicrafts and craftsmanship, Pakistan enjoys all sorts of varieties. Whether it be glass, copper, brass, marble, ceramics, stone, or wood, hardworking and skillful Pakistani Handicraft artists have left no material when it comes to the expression of their art.

Moreover, Pakistani clothes, footwears, jewelry, bags, rugs, quilts, and carpets also have an exceptional positioning in the national and international markets because of their colors, designs, quality, and variety.

The wood carving in home decoration and furniture is breathtaking. Hence, Pakistan stands proudly on the conquered mountain of arts and craftsmanship.

You come to this country and it will entice you with its extraordinary taste and variety of arts. Before going into the details of the handicrafts and arts, it will be helpful to appreciate an overview of the background and history of the arts and artists that this country has produced.

Famous Artisans of Pakistan

One of the prominent names that emerge is that of Abdur Rahman Chughtai who was a famous painter. He was inspired by the ideas of the Poet of East, Allama Iqbal, and incorporated Islamic and Mughal aesthetics in his paintings. Zainul Abedin who belonged to East Pakistan before the 1971 Fall of Dhaka (in which East Pakistan got separated and independent as Bangladesh), was more interested in the depiction of rural and folklife, unlike Chughtai who painted Muslim glory.

Zubeida Agha has the honor of being Pakistan’s first modernist painter who was influenced by her study of Greek philosophy, western music, and mysticism. She combined the western and eastern elements in her paintings, her third dimension in paintings giving a touch of modernism to her works.

In the field of modern calligraphy, Pakistan’s most celebrated artist is Sadequain. He was awarded many prestigious awards for his exceptional work. His mural at Mangla Dam which is titled The Saga of Labour is based on Iqbal’s poetry and celebrates humanity’s progress through labor and modernization. While Gulgee’s calligraphy paintings are abstract and gestural interpretations of Arabic and Urdu letters.

Colors in Pakistani Art

Colors always attract you and grab your attention at once.

Pakistani art also uses vibrant colors that capture the eyes.

These vibrant colors are seen in everything, whether it be stunning jewelry, handmade clothes and fabric designs, footwear or rugs, and carpets.

Usage of Tools

The local artisans of Pakistan spend their lives manufacturing these handicrafts.

They put their sweat and blood into its production.

Although, in today’s world, artisans use machines and more advanced tools to manufacture handicrafts.

However, Pakistani Handicrafts artisans still make use of traditional means and tools to produce unique art pieces.

This is the reason why the products are unique and special, with high quality and distinct designs.

Family Tradition

People who have an artistic family background in Pakistan have their entire generations dedicated to the craftsmanship that they have inherited from their forefathers.

They might not be known widely and they might not even get a suitable payback for their hard work, but their work through global trade has made a place in the international market, if not directly then indirectly.

The Bond of Love

With the advancement in science and technology, there is a massive production of goods and items.

You no longer need artisans of Pakistan to work for you and produce art. Now you have machines that can create thousands of copies at one click.

Still in this era of development and tremendous production, the works produced by hands have a special position and demand.

People who know art and share a special bond of love and reverence for art, have great value for such items.

Due to the specialty and specificity of Pakistani handicrafts and goods, there is a high demand for them in the international market.

Connection to the Homeland Pakistan

Pakistanis living abroad for generations take these handicrafts as a tiny piece of their homeland that build a connection with their country and remind them of their roots. They tend to decorate their homes with cups and dishes made of pottery, special mirrors with Sindhi work, finely wood carved furniture, and many more things.

Hence, we bring a list of such stunning items that carry an aura of Pakistani-ens with it. These can be seen as Symbols of Love exclusively from the homeland, that carry the scent and color of Pakistani land.

Wood Carving Work in Valley Swat

Swat was famous for its marvelous carving in wood at the time of the Gandhara civilization. The artisans of Swat inherited this skill and worked on it, bringing in new designs and using new techniques.

However, the wood carving is still carried out by hand in Swat by the hard-working and passionate local artisans.

Throughout Pakistan, the wood carving of Swat is famous. The specificity of this work is the link that it has with the ancient civilization which is reflected in the designs and colors.

Wood carving is used in furniture, doors, cupboards, tables, architecture, and many other things. The wood also comes from the local forests and woods in the valley.

Glass Bangles of Hyderabad, Karachi

Hyderabad, Karachi is the second largest place where glass bangles are produced after Ferozabad in India. This is the hub of the glass bangles industry because the weather is perfect for its manufacture i.e. dry and hot.

Thousands of people are involved in its production, most of whom are Pakistani women artisans who play a significant role to maintain the identity of the cultural heritage. The makeover and dressing of a South Asian woman are incomplete if she does not wear the colorful and exquisite glass bangles.

These bangles carry a desi Pakistani touch which is celebrated across the country. The bangles are made in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes. The major portion of the bangle-making is carried out by hand.

Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamps

The awe-inspiring Himalayan salt lamps are made from rock salt of the famous Himalayan mountains in Pakistan and are used as a great part of home décor.

These lamps come in various beautiful designs, shapes, and sizes and people love to decorate their homes and offices with them.

They are carefully crafted by hand to preserve the natural shape and structure of the rock. The color ranges from white to apricot and warm pink.

Moreover, these lamps have health benefits too, as it is said that they clean the air, soothe allergies and create a healthy peaceful atmosphere.

Camel Skin Lamps

These lamps are made in Multan and are famous for their intricate designs designed by the skilled local artisans of Multan. They are produced from dried camel skin, which is then designed and painted.

The designs reflect the desert culture of the area they are known for. They reflect the desert life of rural Multan and carry a touch of locality and Pakistani culture.

The surface of the lamps is porous so that they produce shadows and when lighted, they can carry you to a distant world of beauty, simplicity, and silence.

Blue or Kashi Pottery of Multan

Multan which is one of the oldest cities on the subcontinent is widely known for its famous blue pottery which is also called Kashi pottery.

The city has also been the ancient hub of Sufis, so this heavenly color is inspired by the color of their resting places.

This art has its origin in Kashgar in western China and is influenced by Persian arts. However, Pakistani Handicrafts artisans have developed it further by bringing in new designs and giving different forms to it. Nonetheless, the combination of the colors blue and white is the most dominant and famous even now.

Every piece of pottery is handcrafted and hand-painted individually before heat treatment at temperatures around 250 degrees Celsius. The resulting product is immensely beautiful and looks very delicate, yet it is remarkably durable.

Camel Bone HandiCrafts

When the availability of ivory lessened, the artisans of Multan thought to experiment with camel bone and their experimentation worked.

Camel is found abundantly in the area of Multan and people use camels for food, transport, milk, etc. Since the availability of camel bone was not a problem so the artisans used it to replace ivory. Artisans who create camel bone handicrafts make a variety of items, from small key chains to big products, for decoration as well as use.

Camel’s bone is tough so the things made from it are durable and the skill and art of the artisans give them the perfect shape and delicacy.

The items made from camel bone include jewelry boxes, key chains, chess boards, decoration pieces such as vases, etc.

Peshawari Chappal

It is the traditional footwear of the Pakhtoons from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. It takes the name from the area where it is made and it is specific to that area only.

Apart from the use and comfort it gives, Peshawari chappal has the traditional and local touch and is part of the Pakhtoon culture. They consider it a crucial part of their dressing.

It is made up of soft leather by hand and is widely available in various colors and designs. The PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan also buys his Peshawari Chappal from a local artisan in Peshawar.

Hand Made Woolen Shawls of Swat and Gilgit Baltistan

The woolen shawls from Swat and GB are very famous in Pakistan as well as outside Pakistan. These are worn in winter by both men and women. The shawls are made of fine thread, pashmina, and others, which are then weaved and made designs upon by the local artisans of both areas.

The material of the shawl is exquisite but the real value of it is due to the delicate and intricate handmade designs on it. Thousands of artisans pf Pakistan work hard to produce these unique shawls which are in high demand once winters arrive.

Traditional Gem Stone Jewelry of Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan is the northern area of Pakistan known for its natural and scenic beauty. This place is also famous for the gemstone jewelry that is part of their indigenous culture and tradition.

The gemstones mostly come from the mountains and land of GB, which are shaped and crafted by the artisans of Pakistan and then sold. The tourists love to collect precious stones and gems there. The jewelry has simple yet elegant designs that give a cultural look.

Multani Khussa

This special footwear which is made in Multan is completely handcrafted and worn by South Asian men and women. It is made of vegetable-tanned leather. Traditionally it was worn by the royalty and elite.

The specialty of khussa is its encapsulation of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the region. There are a huge variety and collection of khussa and people love to buy and wear them.

Love for Pakistani Handicrafts

The overview above of the handicrafts that the skilled and passionate artisans of Pakistan create shows that they create their crafts the traditional way that reflects their culture, lifestyle, and love for the country.

From an artistic piece to decorate your mantel or hung on a wall in your bedroom or put on your office table to the exquisite attires, footwear, and dressings, you can find almost anything for any occasion in your life in these adorable Pakistani arts and crafts.

The good news is that you can satisfy your love for art by buying these products online from a variety of sellers that ship worldwide.