Wrinkles Tell the Story: The Patchwork Quilt of Life

Sindhi artisans have a long history and their diverse ceramic and textile handicrafts are known all over the world and their rich traditional handicraft heritage has developed over centuries. Sindhi art has been inspired by their wide-ranging cultures, lifestyles, customs − as well as geographical circumstances. Their handicrafts have become a symbol of pride and a livelihood for the Sindhi people for over a century including Kashi tiles, Rilli (traditional patchwork quilts), Ajrak (traditional block printed shawls) which are famous worldwide. Many researchers and journalists have documented Sindhi artwork and appreciated the skills of the artists, but not many studies are available that address their socio-economic status. This article aims to discuss the life of a common Sindhi ceramicist with a goal to understand whether they are earning what they deserve, and are considered a vital part of modern society. We also discuss how educated the Sindhi artist is and what kind of problems they face both socially and economically.

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