Sindh Craft Festival 2025 showcases women artisans and heritage

The Sindh Craft Festival 2025 opened at Port Grand on Friday, turning the waterfront into a showcase of the province’s cultural identity. With more than 100 stalls displaying Ajrak embroidery, Ralli, beadwork, pottery and other traditional crafts, the three-day event places women artisans at its center, celebrating the skills that shaped Sindh’s artistic heritage.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the festival and was received by Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Culture Secretary Khair Muhammad Kalwar and senior officials. “The culture and arts of Sindh are our identity,” he said, noting that the festival “not only promotes our centuries-old heritage but also showcases the creative skills of local artisans, especially women artisans.”

He toured the stalls, meeting artisans and appreciating their work and emphasized that supporting local talent is a shared responsibility. The festival, he added, is not just an exhibition but “a celebration of the culture and traditions of Sindh”.

The opening day unfolded like a walk through the province’s cultural past — from displays of Sindh’s history, costumes and literary heritage, including books by Sheikh Ayyaz, to tributes honoring the land of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bittai. Sufi music by Sanam Marvi and other folk performers filled the venue, setting the tone for a weekend of storytelling, craft and community.

Live demonstrations offered a glimpse into village life: artisans weaving sarpuias, preparing lassi and re-enacting traditional wedding rituals. The visual representations of Mohenjo Daro attracted special attention, becoming one of the attractions of the event. The festival also showcased craft selections from other provinces to encourage cultural exchanges and promote inter-provincial harmony.

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Throughout the venues, craft fairs remained a major attraction. The stalls displayed a jumble of Ajrak and Ralli along with fine embroidery, leather, pottery, jewellery, brass pieces, Hyderabadi bangles, blue pottery and shell and marble ornaments. Master craftsmen demonstrated techniques passed down from generation to generation, drawing groups of visitors who wanted to witness the process up close.

Music continues to anchor the festival throughout its three days. Folk music and traditional dances including the Leva, Dandiya and Matka liven up the evenings, while traditional Otaaq scenes and cultural models add depth to the atmosphere. The concert lineup includes Sanam Marvi, Khumariyaan, Rajab Faqir, Tufail Sanjrani, Deeba Sahar, Farzana Bahar, Owais Jaman, Khushboo Laghari, Mumtaz Molai, Asghar Khoso, Ali Gul Mallah, Nidhra Mughal, Zubair Rehman and Salamat Sehrab.

Organized by the Sindh Department of Culture, the festival aims to showcase the traditional handicrafts and artistic heritage of the province. It will continue until November 30.