In Herat, a school helps keep engraving art alive

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Some artists have established an engraving centre to keep the ancient art alive in western Herat province.

This primordial art, once very popular in the historic province, is currently on the wane. But individuals associated with it are struggling to keep it alive for posterity.

Mohammad Amir Seddiqi, in charge of the only engraving school in Herat City, told Pajhwok Afghan News he was doing his bit to keep the art from going into extinction.

Set up two years back, this facility has lured a number of youth, including women, who are learning the skill with diligence.

Seddiqi said after a period of learning, students entered the practical phase of this art and started engraving different types of wood.

Hasina, one of the students, told Pajhwok she had begun engraving wood after three months of learning and practice at the school.

“Engraving has been a historical art in our country and we all must join hands to keep it alive,” she stressed, asking the authorities concerned not to ignore it.

Meanwhile, instructors applauded the success of the venture, hoping a significant number of students would join the school after some time.

Suraya, an instructor, said both boys and girls were interested in learning the art of engraving. She asked the government to help people from different strata of society learn this skill.

She added 55 students had graduated from the school so far, with 85 percent of them having been employed within the province.

Jalil Ahmad Arbab, head of the school’s sales department, unhappy with the lack of market for their products. He asked the government to help explore a profitable market for them.

Arbab urged the government to arrange an exhibition of their engraved items.

Meanwhile, the Information and Culture Department hailed the art of engraving as a precious skill, noting that a large number of youth were evincing an interest in learning it.

Information Director Javid Dhergham told Pajhwok the directorate had always supported the art and had organised exhibitions in Kabul, Ghazni and in Iran.

He added that the Information and Culture Department had allotted a place for learning this ancient art at the Ekhtiaruddin Fort.

Engraving in Herat reached its peak during the Timurid dynasty back in the ninth century. Its signs could be still seen in some parts of Heat City Jamia Mosque and Herat Guzargah.

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