The Story of Astari
This video delves into the intricate embroidery traditions passed down through generations of women in the Gandhara region. More than just a craft, embroidery is a form of social bonding, where women gather after daily chores to sew, sing, and share stories – often finishing each other’s work. Seasonal garments like embroidered ‘palos’ and salampur shawls reflect their artistry, while embroidered linens such as Zarukey bedsheets and Saputey pillowcases bring beauty into everyday life. While men typically sustain the household income, the women’s creative labour enriches their homes with meaningful, handmade items, laid out on special occasions as tokens of care and connection.
This exhibit looks at the story of the craft that is made up of time, matter and motivation. It particularly revisits the relationship between the tools, the material and motivations, the land, and the hand that makes the craft. The aim is to preserve the local practice embedded in landscape and leverage it for sustainable economic development of craft communities.