Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 30: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that the force of art and craft can create bonds of unity and cooperation between artisans of different areas and cultures. He said arts and crafts act as brand ambassadors of civilization, heritage, culture and detail about the people, their living and status.
Inspecting an exhibition of art works at Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre at Ganpatyar near here, the Chief Minister said that the theme of the exhibition to develop the idea of conjoining lands through geography, pictorial antecedents and history of Kashmir is an excellent concept to bind the artisans and areas.
The artisans and artists of Srinagar are participating in this exhibition, a multi-media project undertaken through a collaborative effort by Asian Heritage Foundation, Kashmir Tourism Department and INTECH. The concept ‘Crafting Hands: Sheher’ organized at Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre exhibited selective works prepared by various master craftsmen of Srinagar which included Papier Machie, Khatambund, Wood-Carving, Houseboat Making, Tile Making, Pinjrakari, etc. These would be finally exhibited at Mumbai International Airport Terminal-2.
The Lal Ded Memorial School which was constructed in the early part of 20th Century around 1906 has been converted into Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre.
Given its historical and cultural significance, the Department of Tourism has acquired the site for setting up of Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre for which a project has been executed under the directions of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah as a part of development of Old Srinagar City under the Special Area Development Plan through INTECH.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the event, the Chief Minister said that his Government has focused to showcase handicrafts and artisans in a meaningful way and develop direct liaison of tourists visiting Valley to the large number of handicraft manufacturers in Sheher-i-Khas and help holistic development of this important economic activity and the artisans.
The Chief Minister said that various attractions for tourists are being created in Sheher-i-Khas besides launch of Artisans Cluster Development Programme. He said this would help attracting visitors to visit interior Srinagar and purchase handicrafts and art pieces directly from the manufacturers.
The MLA of the area Shamima Firdous alongwith a large number of citizens welcomed the Chief Minister at the Cultural Centre.
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