2022-10-03 8:52:11 PM by Team Krafters
“Pesha-War” – city of artisans
Handmade creations have been around for centuries. From early days of history, artists have enjoyed the art of creating a unique gift for others. In the Bronze Age people of the Indus Valley and Mahargarh cultures used to make aesthetic expressions in terms of colorful and beautiful shapes and designs with metals and ceramics. The sacredness of objects made in this manner is evident in the importance attached to their preservation in the archaeological records. The stone beads with various magical and geometrical patterns of Buddhist periods are the prominent examples of adoration and religious purposes.
Despite the development of technology in the modern world which produces electronic and households, the importance of handicrafts is equally continuing. The art of crafting involved creating a unique piece of work using different shapes and designs, with colors and metal & ceramic. There is a richness to the handmade process that cannot be replicated with simple machine creation. In every single creation of our personal handmade, you will find an idea, a moment and an act of expressing creativity. A lot of people are recognizing the importance of personal creation today and focusing on creating the work based on their personal interests.
Handicrafts have a significant role in the economic growth of society. Besides the routine utility in people’s lives, it also acts as a vehicle for carrying further the values, customs, traditions and history of a society and transmitting it from one generation to another.
Peshawar the capital city has a glorious cultural heritage. Peshawar is derived from the term “Pesha War” meaning” city of artisans or skilled people.” In old times, Artisans from other countries would visit Peshawar to introduce their artefacts to the locals. In 1641, Jahan Ara Begum, daughter of Mughal Emperor Shahjehan ordered the construction of Caravan Serai in the area called Gor Khatri, for the travelers of and traders, travelling to and from Afghanistan and Central Asia through this route. Art and Artisans thrived back then, and various bazars were named after respective trades or skilled, like Bazar-i-Misgaran (Copper smith bazar), Reti (Iron smith), Chik Sazan (Bamboo blinds bazar).
During the British period, many of the Serai cells were replaced with new settlements and only a few were retained. Now they have set up Artisan Village in that area to try to revive the dying arts and crafts of the city.
Copper work, Woodwork, Shawl weaving, Hand Embroidery, Khaddar work, Jewelry making, and Pottery are the famous examples of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s handmade creativity.
