Wooden Symphonies of Bygone Times
The Perishing Legacy of Traditional Havelis in Sindh, Pakistan
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22360276 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Anila Naeem (0000-0001-9727-9519, NED University of Engineering and Technology, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue | 1-3 |
| Pages | 37-64 |
| Publication date | 2021-07-21 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Wood Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2772-3186 • E-ISSN: 2772-3194 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/27723194-20210001 |
| OpenAlex | W3185205795 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 3 |
For centuries, wood has remained a primary material contributing to the evolution of built environments – employed for structural solutions as well as decorative and iconographic expressionism. The façades of traditional havelis in Shikarpur (Sindh, Pakistan) hold witness to an exquisite form of wood craftsmanship; a style that evolved and remained in vogue during 18th–19th century; commissioned by wealthy merchants. These surviving remnants of bygone times reflect on the socio-cultural, religious, and political spirit of urbanized Sindh – concurrently forming a unique traditional fabric, today struggling for its survival. Post-Independence (1947) demographic and socio-cultural transformations adversely impacted the city’s historic environment. Residential mansions, once a pride of the elite gentry, changed hands to an economically impoverished stratum of society, leaving them vulnerable to exploitations by a growing market of antique dealers. Recognizing their threatened status, the Government of Sindh declared “Shikarpur Historic Town” a protected heritage in 1998. Furthermore, 1203 properties were given protected heritage designation in March 2012 – over 80% of which are privately owned residences. However, mere notifications, unsupported by active monitoring and administrative systems, or economic incentives to property owners, leave historic havelis still at risk. The presented research attempts at developing an in-depth understanding of fast disappearing woodwork from historic façades, and reinstate a pride in indigenous building traditions to stimulate a sense of ownership and motivation for preservation
Art history · Symphony · History · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |