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August-2(Ajrak from Sindh)


August-2(Ajrak from Sindh)
Photo Information
Copyright: Pakistan Ek Janoon Ek Ishq (muhammadtariq) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 428 W: 119 N: 603] (2904)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-01
Categories: Event
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/4 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-04 8:23
Viewed: 641
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi every one as I have said August is the month of celebration for Pakistanis and I promised to share few specialities of Pakistan so today I have brought a speciality from our province Sind The valley of Mehran .one of the oldest civilizations in the world are from Indus valley.The people of Sind are simple, hospitable and loving.The major cities are Karchi(sea port) and largest city of country,hadierabd,nawab Shah,Khairpur,Sukkur,Larkan and Rohri.
I have posted the famouse ajrak design from Sind here are few facts about this speciality from Pakistan,
Ajrak is a name given to a unique form of blockprint shawls and tiles found in Sindh, Pakistan. Ajrak is also worn by the Seraiki people of Southern Punjab and Kutch. These shawls display special designs and patterns made using block printing by stamps. Common colours used while making these patterns may include but are not limited to blue, red, black and yellow. Over the years, ajraks have become a symbol of the Sindhi culture and traditions.
Early human settlements in the region which is now the province Sindh in Pakistan along the Indus River had found a way of cultivating and using Gossypium arboreum commonly known as tree cotton to make clothes for themselves. These civilizations are thought to have mastered the art of making cotton fabrics as early as 3000 BC.[1] A bust of a king priest excavated at Mohenjo-daro shows him draped over one shoulder in a piece of cloth that resembles an ajrak.

What came as a formidable explanation for this observation was the trefoil pattern etched on the person's garment interspersed with small circles, the interiors of which were filled with a red pigment. Excavations elsewhere in the Old World around Mesopotamia have also yielded similar patterns appearing on various objects most notably on the royal couch of Tutankhamen. This symbol illustrates what is now believed to be an edifice depicting the fusion of the three sun-disks of the gods of the sun, water and the earth. Reminiscent geometry of the trefoil is evident on most of the recent ajrak prints.

The level of geometry on the garment comes from the usage of a method of printing called the woodblock printing in which prints were transferred from geometric shapes etched on the wooden blocks by pressing them hard on the fabric. This technique was first used in ancient China and was transferred via the silk route to Egypt. On its way through the populous regions of the Indus Valley, this technique of fabric printing was adopted at Mohenjo-daro.

The tradition still prevails centuries later and people still use the same methods of production that were used in the earlier days to create an ajrak. The garment has become an essential part of the Sindhi culture and apparel of a Sindhi person. Men use it as a turban, a cummerbund or wind it around the shoulders. Women use it as a dupatta or a shawl and sometimes as a makeshift swing for children. Ajraks are usually about 2.5 to 3-meters long, patterned in intense colours predominantly rich crimson or a deep indigo with some white and black used sparingly to give definition to the geometric symmetry in design.
Making of Ajrak
Ajrak is made all over Sindh, especially in Hala, Bhit Shah, Moro, Sukkur, Kandyaro, Hyderabad, and many cities of Upper Sindh and Lower Sindh.
Ajrak - A symbol of Sindh
Ajrak is an integral part of Sindhi culture. Its usage is evident at all levels of society, and the cloth is held in high esteem, with the utmost respect given to it. According to Sindhi traditions Ajrak is also presented as a gift of hospitality to guests and is worn on festive occasions such as weddings.

Many Pakistani politicians particularly those from Sindh have worn Ajrak. Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who is from Sindh, regularly wore Ajrak.
Thank you very much for being around I must also acknowledge one of my friend who by PP work made it possible for me to post this wonderful design with all of you.
mesquens1, roges, tanburi, daisydaisy, werdir, shaukatmi, abidin, Sharpshooter, chendis, mikolaj_cava, suzy, eungbong has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To AKITA: remuhammadtariq 1 08-08 21:51
To eungbong: remuhammadtariq 1 08-07 21:28
To suzy: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:18
To mikolaj_cava: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:16
To hay_kes: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:15
To KBE: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:13
To chendis: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:12
To Sharpshooter: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:11
To avishanmuz: remuhammadtariq 1 08-06 07:10
To abidin: remuhammadtariq 2 08-04 22:43
To mesquens1: remuhammadtariq 1 08-04 08:56
To ddupre2: remuhammadtariq 1 08-04 08:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Bom dia Muhammad,
Very good shot, nice textures, beautiful tapestry and an awesome presentation. Excellent focus.
TFS
Raimundo

beau cadrage pour une note un peu longue,

cordialement

ddupre, île de la Réunion

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 492 W: 0 N: 891] (4525)
  • [2009-08-04 10:12]

Hi Muhammad,

Very interesting shot, well played.
Have a quiet evening,
Adrian

Hello Muhammad,
Clear image, brillant color and eye catching texture
Thanks for informatic notes
TFS
Selahattin E

Strong symmetry and color
Very beautiful result.
Excellent idea and note too.
Well done.

very detailed pattern with a nice tight crop, composed well,
tfs,
scott

  • Great 
  • werdir Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 538 W: 35 N: 572] (2557)
  • [2009-08-04 13:34]

Hi Muhammad,

Beautiful patterns and artistry in the Ajrak. The colors are very nice and I like the crop done on your photo. Thanks for sharing this documentary composition.

Best regards,
Werner

Salaam Tariq. Beautiful design of Ajrak with good clarity, colors and composition. A very good note. I am familiar with Ajrak and still have one I got from Umerkot Sind. Cheers.

ASAK Sir, A very balanced capture with good details and an excellent note....Pakistan Zindabad.

Helo

How are you ? Congrats for the gr8 shoot overal sharpness is perfect nd the work u have done nd the efort is gr8

Regards
@vi Sh@n

Hi Muhammad,
Excellent capture, I really like the symmetrical crop. The thumbnail was very eye-catching, so many patterns and designs in this shot. Looks well exposed and very clear, a fine job.

TFS,
Scott.

Hi Muhammad
grate idea for posting this items of you culture and country
nice details and models
well cropped with good sharpness

Have a grate day!

Oana

  • Great 
  • KBE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 446 W: 103 N: 581] (2701)
  • [2009-08-05 2:20]
  • [+]

Salam Tariq bhai

A very well capture of this sindh cultured Ajrak.
Nice colors and very effective frame!

Nicely done

Thanks for sharing the Pakistani culture!

Best regards,
Jahanzeib

Hi Muhammad,
What asuperb image.Excellent colours, symmetry and graphism.TFS..
Regards,

hAyAti

Hello Muhammad! Perfect capture, ideal exposure. Good contrast and very good sharpness. Original shot. Well done!

  • Great 
  • suzy Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 425 W: 38 N: 1262] (4336)
  • [2009-08-06 4:51]
  • [+]

hello dear Muhammad,

superb symmetry and very striking design and colors.. am always fascinated with such amazing traditional artistic work, it looks beautiful and you captured it with superb sharpness and focus.. patterns, designs, colors... very rich composition indeed..

thank you for the note too, I just learnt something new:)

best wishes
suzy

Hello Muhammad,

Another beautiful cultural heritage and picture of your unique country. I really like the beautiful symmetrical composition with flower and geometrical figure patterns. Thanks for sharing the Pakistani culture and traditions.

Best regards,
Eungbong

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1004 W: 81 N: 66] (12086)
  • [2009-08-08 18:26]
  • [+]

dear Muhammad Tariq,
an attractive shot of the splendid pattern,
this your traditional pattern is really artistic,
in my feeling it is one big cosmos, made of lots of small universes,
each flower means each world.
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

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