It is only a week or so since Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, and, in reading the Indian press that expresses such fear of greater instability in their neighboring enemy country, one tends to forget the incredible bonds that hold India and Pakistan together.
Stalin and I saw these strong ties over christmas in Kutch, a region that is geographically part of Sindh, a desert tribal heartland (and incidentally the homeland of Benazir Bhutto where she was buried). On this four day Christmas break, we also saw the power of community media, for Kutch is where Stalin and his colleagues at Drishti and the women’s organization KMVS have been doing community radio for ten years, in which local people have produced an extremely popular program that celebrates local arts and culture.
Qaleen Baafi: Diminutive Art
Kashmir carpet is famous throughout the world. Germany is the largest consumer of Kashmiri carpet, the country’s cold winters make it an ideal destination for the use of Kashmir Shawls, rugs and carpets. Kashmiri carpets are considered to be the finest carpets in the world second only to Persian carpets.
The Rhythmic Tribal Culture
Bastar, in Chattisgarh State, India, is well known for their tribal population, and their unique, distinctive cultural heritage. In this area, the tradition of playing Madar has been going on since time immemorial.