LAHORE - The three-day Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition featuring indigenous products made in smaller towns and cities concluded here on Monday.

Hassan Domki (58), from Lehri tehsil in Sibbi district, sold Balochistan’s indigenous crafts at the exhibition. He said if the government supports him local crafts can generate revenue for Pakistan in the international markets.

Muhammad Ashraf (35) from Badin, Sindh, who was making mud utensils at Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition, was very happy to show his skills in front of audience he did not know. He said Acher pottery was a skill which connects you to the world as “we humans are made up of mud”.

Ghulam Muhammad Kumbhar said these small pottery products, including elephants, horses and animals, were reflection of local tradition. “We made good profit in urban areas instead of villages where these products sell at low prices,” he said.

Last year, fee for entry to the Daachi Arts and Crafts Show was Rs100 but this year it was increased to Rs250.

At the exhibition, craftsmen from various cities came to exhibit their skills. Students, families and working women came from all walks of life to attend the exhibition.

Mrs Jameel, who came from Karachi and runs a shop ‘Bingle Mania’ in Karachi, told this scribe that a galaxy of craftsmen under one roof here is a good sign for this industry. The Bingle Mania made innovative cards, which are liked by the youth. The concept of interactive quotes on rings was also liked by the visitors.

Waqas, who came from Dera Ismail Khan and displayed fine lacquer work on wood, said that Dera traditions and colours could be easily seen in the patterns on the wood. “The colours of the DI Khan took special place in the symmetry of the wood works,” he said.

Embroidered caps from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hunza and Gilgit-Baltistan attracted people. Food stalls were also set up for visitors.

FAIZAN ALI WARRAICH