Development Of Contemporary Textile Art Inspired By The Aerial 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 presentday
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
Aerial view of the1 city serves as the basic inspiration for designing compositions. While
the art and craft of this specific region 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 Aerial view
legends made installation. For table top art piece fort. 7 fabric slabs combine to showcase
7 decades’ population transition around Derawar 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.