| Pakistan: Art And Culture |
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Pakistan
has every reason to be proud of the thousands of years old and rich
tradition of its arts and crafts. In the post-independence period, the
successive governments have been providing substantial state help and
initiative for the uplift of arts and crafts in the country. A wider
recognition of the accomplishments of crafts-people has been facilitated
by the activities of the National Crafts Council and promotional plans of
organizations such as the Export Promotion Bureau and Small Industries
Corporations. Pakistani craftsmen
are well reputed in producing quality products in clay, stone, fabrics,
carpets, wood, metal, jewelry and leather.
Culture
Pakistan has been the
cradle of a civilization that dates back more than five millennium. Over
the centuries, through successive waves of migrations from the north-west,
as well as by internal migrations across the subcontinent, Aryans,
Persians, Greeks, Arabs, and Mughals came and settled in this region.
However, it was Islam and Islamic traditions that finally took roots and
formed the mainspring of Pakistan's cultural heritage.
Muslims from the earliest days, built cities,
forts, palaces, mosques, madrassas (religious schools), tombs and
mausoleums which are marked by simplicity and grandeur, with open spaces
and abundance of light in accordance with the Islamic concept of man's
direct and open relationship with the Creator. Pakistan inherits immense
treasure of culture, and the government is trying its best to preserve and
promote this cultural treasure. There are several government agencies such
as Pakistan National Council of Arts, Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage), National
Film Development Corporation, Authority for Preservation of Moenjodaro and
National Archives of Pakistan, each to perform a given set of functions in
this area.
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