2022

art

Alina Sherin

KARGAH – Women and Art of Islampur, Swat


For centuries, the weaving cluster of Islampur Swat has been involved in the creation of woolen goods. This cluster is well-known not only in NWFP but throughout the country for manufacturing high-quality handwoven shawls and scarves. Shawls are presently produced in several regions of District Swat as well as Malakand, although the largest cluster is in the hamlet of Islampur, where the product first gained fame. Women artisans have been participating in the handloom industry of Islampur Swat for ages.

My thesis project, KARGAH is to promote and acknowledge the work of Islampur, and Swat artisans. KARGAH provides one platform that can highlight the work process and skills of the women artisans. Particularly the KARGAH project will be to explore, strengthen and rejuvenate the rich heritage of Islampur Swat of Shawls and the women artisans who have been working in this field of life. KARGAH also provides those artisans with all the opportunities to do business. This is an initiative for women to build their own brands and to get directly in contact with their clients/consumers.

KARGAH is a non-profitable organization for women artisans. This project KARGAH helps to promote the art, work, and skills of women artisans from Swat. This project would help them achieve their self-confidence and self-motivation about their work. They would feel acknowledged and empowered to have one platform where they can do business on their own despite knowing there is a lack of communication. KARGAH provides a complete management team to deliver the client's brief to the artisans and be a convenient source of communication between the artisans and clients.

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