Embroideries

About Our Embroideries

Saniya’s Cultural Express is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the rich traditional arts and crafts of Pakistan through captivating exhibitions held across the globe. With a deep appreciation for the country’s diverse cultural heritage, we strive to create a platform that highlights the remarkable skills of artisans from South Punjab and Interior Sindh.

Our company’s mission is twofold. First, we aim to provide a global stage for these talented artisans, enabling them to share their exquisite craftsmanship and unique designs with the world. By bridging the gap between cultures and fostering cross-cultural exchange, we believe that the beauty and intricacy of Pakistan’s traditional arts and crafts can be appreciated and preserved for generations to come.

Secondly, we are committed to supporting the artisans in their personal and professional development. Recognizing the importance of sustainable fashion and ethical practices, we work closely with our artisans to create a nurturing environment where they can flourish. Through fair wages, skill enhancement programs, and access to resources, we empower them to expand their capabilities and sustainably contribute to the fashion industry.

At Saniya’s Cultural Express, we firmly believe that the preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts not only adds value to the cultural heritage of Pakistan but also creates a positive social and economic impact. By providing a platform for these talented artisans, we aim to foster pride, dignity, and a sense of community among the artisans.

Through our meticulously curated exhibitions, we strive to inspire art enthusiasts, designers, and consumers alike. From exquisite hand-embroidered fabrics to intricate pottery, we bring forth a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns, and textures that represent the soul of Pakistan’s cultural legacy. Each creation tells a story, weaving together tradition, skill, and passion.

Join us on this journey to celebrate the richness of Pakistan’s artistic traditions and support sustainable fashion. Together, let us embrace the beauty of cultural diversity and create a global tapestry of artistic expression with Saniya’s Cultural Express.

Block Prints

Bust of King Priest, excavated at a site in Mohenjo-Daro, shows him draped in Ajrak

Pakistan is home to one of the most ancient civilisations known to human history – Indus Valley Civilisation, a Bronze Age civilisation lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE which included the settlements of Mohenjo-Daro, Taxila & Harappa. This is where the traditional Sindhi Ajrak was first printed. The bust of a King Priest, excavated at a site in Mohenjo-Daro, shows him draped in this fabric, which depicts the earliest use of Ajrak.

Every printing production commences with a meticulously crafted wooden block, expertly carved by skilled artisans who typically inherit the trade from their ancestors. This intricate task demands a combination of finesse and skill. The carvers meticulously fashion a unique block for each component of the design, ensuring that every border, arrangement of leaves, and floral motif within a pattern is accurately represented.

Carving of wooden block for print pattern

Block printing by artisan

Hand Embroideries

One of the most unique skill our artisans carry is the skill of hand-embroidery. This is a skill that is usually passed down from generation to generation. Each family specialises in different designs and pattern making each piece unique. The artists took their inspirations from Islamic traditions of floral motifs and crossed them with traditions of the Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent to create their own unique style.

SCE is set to bring the finest traditional regional embroideries of Pakistan to the West. We have produced beautiful, intricately hand embroidered clothing and tableware from rural areas of South Punjab. These hand embroidered pieces are highly prized for their fine work and soft texture by skilled artisans.

Khussa

Embellished with handmade pure silver decorations, these khussas also highlight the historical silver markets of Multan. The amalgamation of two Multani crafts: khussa-making and handmade silver jewels, is not only an ode to our ancient tradition but also provide a regal touch to its intricacies and design.

One of the traditional types of footwear worn in Pakistan, the khussa has its roots in the region’s history and as such is part of a rich cultural heritage. The khussas of Multan are the most beautiful and best made. The main industry resides in the cobbled streets of ancient Multan and the shoes are supplied nationwide.

Multani Khussa is more than a nod to skilful craftsmanship and exceptional commitment to perfection in Pakistan. It is an identity which runs deep in the shared mores of our society. Every khussa is made by hand, an ode to the artisan who cuts, stitches, and weighs his every move in order to deliver an artifact like no other.

Drafting of khussa design pattern – Inspired by motifs present on centuries old mosque tiles

Making of Khussa

SCE Khussa embellished with silver coins