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| Uzma Burana hosting her show |
Richness of Saraiki heritage and culture can flabbergast those, who are unaware of it. Vibrance of colours, ethnic touch, elegance wrapped in austerity, these characteristics truly elevate Saraiki handicrafts from rest of the world. Here, everything can be hand embroidered. Apparel, shoes, beddings, wall hangings, table to foot mats. You name it and Saraiki people would present to you an article dripping with colour, shimmer and originality. Artefacts made of camel skin, mirror work, miniatures, paintings, mosaic. Truly hand made, from beginning to end.
In every age, Multani Gold remained famous around the world for its purity. The jewellery made out of real Gold and silver is simply fascinating. Earthen to Blue pottery, Saraiki artisans are great masters. They have their own marvels of tradition and style, which speak for themselves anywhere in the world that they are from the city of saints, from the land of sufis.
As sufi-ism originated from this land, the poetic quality and unfathomable love for music is a part of its heritage. Most of the songs sung by Sufi singers today, were originally written by Saraiki saints and poets. This language is loaded with folk songs. Which have now become a part of tradition at every Pakistani or Indian wedding throughout the world. Saraiki people are artistic by birth, they have the spirit of a painter, a poet, a singer, a dancer in them. And that breathes a happy soul in them, that no heat can ever kill. They will rather crack a joke about the rising temperatures of their land and laugh over it. or sing about it or would simply dance it away.
Like rest of the world, as modernism is taking up, Saraiki culture is gradually disappearing from the lives of its natives. Those who truly cherish and value their heritage, try to sustain it. Some go over the edge and make efforts to resuscitate it by providing others, opportunities to revisit their roots and reconnect with traditions. One such great effort was made by Uzma Burana. This lady proudly embraces the fact that she is a Saraiki and holds this culture in great reverence. So much, that the entrepreneurial field she selected for herself, despite being a feudal lady, is of ''khussa (traditional Saraiki shoe) making'' by the name of ''village art'' and through that she supports the underprivileged families associated with this craft.
On 9th April 2016, Uzma Burana with her group members, Ayesha Durrani, Yasmin Durrani, Azra Parveen, Bano Saleem, Shamim Shad, Mehwish Durrani Mehmooda Rahat, Nighat Gillani, Fariha Jamil, arranged a party at ladies club Multan and named it ''Saraiki cultural festival''. Which happened to be a treat for eyes, ears and souls. Members of the ladies club were requested to attend the function in traditional Saraiki dresses and jewellery. The participants did true justice to the theme and arrived in bright clothes, worked with gotta, kinari and other embroideries and loaded with traditional Multani jewellery. Uzma Burana recreated the beauty of a traditional Saraiki household. Adorned with bright coloured embroideries, traditional decoration pieces and household utensils. The set up was simply breath taking and conveyed the deep love the organizers held in their hearts for their culture.
The program started with the recitation of holy Quran. Uzma Burana personally took the responsibility of conducting the show. Very gracefully, she went on to introduce each aspect of Saraiki culture and threw some light history and culture. She had invited folk singers from her lands, who went on to sing folk songs on the beats of ''dholak''. All the members of the club were then invited to display their outfits and jewellery. As we know, Saraiki women are such bewitching beauties, each and every participant appeared extremely beautiful. But the judgement had to be done. Fariha Munir Shah, the joint secretary of this club was given the honour to decide. Keeping in view the voting of the audience, she declared Farah Sohail Sheikh as first, Mahmooda Rahat second, Tahira Najam and Shahnaz Iqbal were third. After that, Uzma requested her group members, Ayesha Durrani and others to start 'Jhoomar' (a traditional Saraiki dance) performed at weddings by entire family. Almost all the ladies, young or old participated in it. There were also skits by different members. Lots of games, singing and dancing. Each and every member was enthralled. Felt proud of being a Saraiki and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
At the end, Mrs. Shagufta Khaksaar, program secretary of the club made some announcements. Then, the dinner was served, which again accentuated Saraiki traditions. Saag, palak, Makai roti, chollay, etc. A true sumptuous, scrumptious treat. Indeed, it was the best of the best party of ladies club, Multan. Thanks a lot Uzma Burana, people like you who love and honour their heritage are indeed blessing to the mankind, as they never let the ties break, which connect the nations to its roots. God bless you always.
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| Essentials of a Saraiki house |
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| Khattra and Hookah, Bed and smoke machine in Saraiki culture |
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| Changaer (plate) and Blue pottery cup |
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| Madhani ( Saraiki Butter making machine) |
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| True Saraikis drink tea in bowls |
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| Saraiki singers |
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| Uzma Buana and friends |
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| Farah Khwaja and Ayesha Durrani, Saraiki beauties, Assistant Program secretaries of ladies club |
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| Presenting a skit, Mrs. Sipra, Mahmooda Rahat and Tahira Najam |
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| Saraikan churning the madhani, Farah Sohail Sheikh at her best |
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| The audience |
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| Mrs. Gillani with other guests and Shaireen Rana from Jung, Ruqaya Naeem from Khabrein |
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| Uzma Buran's mom giving away prizes to Mahmooda Rahat and her grand daughter |
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| Stage full of participants |
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| The new comers expressing their views |
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| All the hostesses together with Uzma Burana |
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| The Club administration, Fariha Munir Shah, Shagufta Khaksar and Ayesha Durrani |
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| Mahmooda Rahat and Shagufta Khaksar |
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| Little Saraikan |
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| Mrs. Qalab Abbass, Mrs. Zarina Behtreen and Mrs. Khwaja Mueed |
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| The stylish Saraikans |
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| Shagufta Khaksar, Mrs. Cheena Gillani and Mrs. Iqbal Chaudhary |
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| All that glitters is Gotta and real Gold |
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