ISLAMABAD: The on going “Lok Mela” at Shakarparian has been immensely contributing towards documenting and preserving traditional folk crafts and projecting craftspeople, said a press released issued on Saturday. The annual Lok Mela organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has attracted a sizeable visitors where over 500 craftspeople are seen actively demonstrating their works in artistically designed cultural pavilions putting their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation. The crafts on display are embroidery including Multani, Bahawalpuri, Hazara, Swat, Balochi and Sindhi embroidery block printing, lacquer work, Khussa making, pottery, tie and dye, doll making, khaddar weaving, truck art, wood carving, wood work, papier mache, namda and gabba, metal work, Shawl weaving, zari work, motikari, traditional carpets, blue pottery, Ajrak, wax printing, stone work, wooden spoon making, pattu weaving and many others. Being a prime institution dealing with Pakistani folk culture, Lok Virsa is aware of the need for gender equality which is seen in each event that it holds from time to time because in this way both male and female practitioners afford equal opportunity of showcasing their talent and getting due recognition. In the present event, one can see a number of female artisans demonstrating their skills. The most prominent among them is Malookan from Balochistan. She practices Balochi embroidery and has carried centuries old tradition from her mother and devoted 32 years of her life to this profession. She stands out not only for her excellence but also in her tireless propagation of this art by imparting it to the future generations. Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said that Pakistan with its rich and varied heritage has a craft tradition of more than 9,000 years dating back to the Mehergarh civilization in Balochistan, which reveals the earliest evidence for pottery production. The Indus Valley civilization of Mohenjodaro in Sindh and Harappa civilization in Punjab (5,000 BC) indicates impressions of woven cloth production from cotton and wool. The dominant historical influence still to be seen in the form, design and colour of Pakistani handicrafts is essentially Islamic, a fusion of Turkish, Arab, Persian and the indigenous Mughal traditions. The crafts represent a valuable material heritage, which forms a tangible part of our historical and contemporary culture. Unlike the west, most traditional crafts in Pakistan are neither a profession nor a hobby but an essential component of the diverse cultural patterns, which is a product of the ethnic and communal attitudes and practices. As such, crafts have meanings and definite social context in traditional society. The historic forms and designs are being revived both by the increasing number of trained craftsmen and by designers for the tourist and export trade.