Development Of Contemporary Textile Art Inspired By The Arial View Of Historical Sites And Population Transitions Of Bahawalpur

Abstract

The Cholistan Desert, covering 26,933 Sq km, is a region with significant cultural assets including the ancient Rohi people's folklore, poetry, handicrafts, dances and myths. The area, known as "Deep/Greater Cholistan," is accessible only through dirt tracks and sand dunes. M. Rafique Mughal identified 410 extant sites in the desert, with 370 in the present-day district of Bahawalpur. These sites date back to the Hakra Ware period, Early Harappan, Mature Harappan, and Late Harappan periods. The Hakra civilization's remains, believed to be associated with ghosts and the dead, have special significance, more so than the Indus Valley. The current study is inspired from the architectural legacy and population transitions around historical places of princely state of Bahawalpur. The Ariel view of the[1] city serves as the basic inspiration for designing compositions. While the art and craft of this specific region provide the detail and confinement in the execution and development phases. Like rice stitch is mainly used with the combination of knots and couching where needed, to add details. Whereas, historically developed technique stippling is used to make sketches. Based on these techniques final products are shown in three different ways i.e. Installation, apparel, art piece. Fabric slabs are the integral part of the research design. Embroidered fabric slabs collectively composed of Ariel view legends made installation. For table top art piece 7 fabric slabs combine to showcase 7 decades population transition around Derawar fort. Design compositions of these seven fabric slabs depict two important facts. With passage of time, population and facilities are increasing around the fort but the fort is demolishing and losing its glory. In the category of apparel, the researchers have designed four shawls based on these compositions blending artistic creativity with practical textile applications. The researchers’ conclusion with some suggestions and recommendations was also summed up at the end of this study