'Artisans at Work' Festival successfully organised

Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has successfully organised a three-day Hunar-e-Hawa Mela or Artisans at Work Festival, at the PIA Planetarium in Hayatabad, which concluded here on Sunday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Deputy Speaker, Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, participated as chief guest at concluding ceremony. On the occasion, former members of provincial assembly, and ANP leader Shagufta Malik, MNA Nafeesa Khattak, women right activist, Mariam Bibi, Women chamber former president, Rohi Zahir Shah, vice chancellor Swabi University Dr Noor Jehan, Faiza Babar and others, participated.
The skilled women, other competitions displayed their artwork at various stall, set up during three day festival, like kite-flying, Mehndi quick sketching, mushaira or poetry recital sessions, cooking and traditional music are also part of the festival. Rizwana Khan, Bakhtiar Khattak, Muhammad Shoaib, Sania, Sadia, Natasha and Maha Noor mesmerised the audience with their melodious voices and performances.
The children and women also enjoyed poetry recital sessions at the stall that beautifully and traditionally established for this particular segment. Artisans from all the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are participating in the event. Stalls have been established to display handicrafts, embroidery, Taghar work, Bannu Royal Khaadi, stone carving, Peshawari caps, wax painting, metal work, wood carving, artwork, calligraphy, ring making, sitar making, Chitrali Patti, Gandhara Art, Drooza chappal, Sarghashay, Charsadda chapal, maizaray work, Karawa work, Sarkha, Dandas, Parunay, pottery work, blacksmith work, Hazara Jisti Shawl and Moti work and a lot of other items.
The skilled women are also imparting training to the visiting females so that they could be able to make handicrafts, embroidery and other cultural and traditional items.
The stalls for the traditional and local food and cuisine have also been established, which are offering Chapal Kabab, Biryani and others. Concert, traditional dances and activities like food competitions, stage, hujra, magic, puppet and juggler shows, games, art exhibitions and kids play area are also part of the event. The visitors are evincing keen interest in each and every item and segment of the exhibition.
Traditional Khattak, Mehsud, Attan, Chitrali, Gatka, Attan Ball and Bangash dances were performed besides the instrumental stage show of Rabab-Mangay (Tang Takor). Cooking contests were held in which a number of women participated. Makha, weight lifting and other family competitions like quiz and singing were also held.
The magic, juggler and puppet shows were also part of the unique event in addition to daily musical evening. Pashto and Hindko music programmes are also be presented at the event.