In the 1970s, Nasreen Askari, a young medical student in Pakistan, had an experience that changed her life. While treating a sick boy, his mother dismissed Askari’s medical questions and instead pointed to the embroidery on her shawl, which reflected her entire life story. She explained that when her son passed away, she would unravel a black flower on the shawl to signify her loss.
This encounter sparked Askari’s lifelong passion for the traditional textiles of Sindh, a province in southeastern Pakistan. Over 50 years, she built an impressive collection of almost 1,000 pieces, now forming the foundation of Pakistan’s first dedicated textile museum, which she and her husband Hasan, a former trustee of the British Museum, opened in Karachi in December.
Askari believes Sindh’s textile traditions are among the world’s oldest, dating back to the ancient Indus Valley civilisation. Due to Sindh's location as a historic trade hub, its fabrics reflect influences from China, India, Iran, and Central Asia. Most textiles in her collection are made using natural dyes and woven by hand, skills that are still preserved in remote rural communities.
Askari first gained international recognition in 1997 when she curated Colours of the Indus, an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. Initially considering donating her collection to the V&A, she ultimately decided to open a museum in Sindh instead, ensuring that local people could learn about their heritage.
The museum, called The Haveli, has five galleries displaying unique embroidery from remote areas of Pakistan. The exhibits include ceremonial fabrics, dowry purses, and decorative items for camels.The opening exhibit, A Coat of Many Colours, highlights the significant contributions of Sindh’s Hindu communities to its textile traditions. Before the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan, Sindh’s population was 30% Hindu. Today, fewer Hindus remain due to persecution, and the Askaris aim to honor their cultural contributions and promote unity.
Hasan Askari emphasized that the museum is more than just an art display; it delivers a message of harmony by showing how craftsmanship transcends religious and sectarian divisions. He hopes the museum will remind visitors of their shared cultural heritage.
Vocabulary:
• Shawl (noun) – A piece of fabric worn over the shoulders or head for warmth or decoration.
• Heritage (noun) – The cultural traditions and achievements passed down from previous generations.
• Embroidery (noun) – The art of decorating fabric with needlework.
• Textiles (noun) – Types of cloth or fabric materials.
• Nomadic (adjective)– Moving from place to place rather than living in one location permanently.
• Partition (noun) – The division of a country into separate parts.
• Craftsmanship (noun) Skill in making things by hand.
• Exhibition (noun)– A public display of objects or artwork.
• Vault (noun)– A secure place for storing valuable items.
• Persecution (noun) – Treating someone unfairly because of their beliefs.
Source: adapted from The Guardian