On the hunt for a perfect lamp or a German silver tea set with the craftsmanship and exquisite details? While there are a surplus of online auctions for such exquisite pieces, nothing beats the feel of searching a stall packed with the gunwales of similar decorative plates and much more. It’s the thrill of the chase, much more exciting finding a gem for a complete bargain when it comes to furnishing your home.
Traditional and unique silverware household items, especially designed for Qataris, are an attraction at the ongoing Summer Entertainment City (SEC).
The stall set up by Murad Noor Ali, who manufactures and trades the household items made of German silver, offers different kinds of household items, including utensils, globes, lamps and much more.
All the items are exclusively manufactured in Karachi, Pakistan, keeping the Qatari culture and traditions in mind to resonate and reflect the local heritage.
Talking to Community, Murad spoke about the artisan pieces he create and its popularity in Qatar.
He said, “I first visited Qatar as a trader in 1980. I have been selling and manufacturing special and unique household items on demand from people in the Gulf since 1978. I take part in almost every exhibition in Qatar and have a regular customer base here. Even when people from Qatar visit Karachi, they come to my showroom and buy different pieces. We have typical Qatar coffee pots and dishes used for dates, along with compelling decoration pieces, that are crafted to detail.”
He said, “We have been making household items using German silver for decades now. This is our third generation business. Different art works and carvings on the items are done with hands. German silver is a mixture of silver, nickel and zinc. It is one kind of alloy. It is not silver-plating. People here recognise my products as Made in Pakistan.”
“I have my factory and a showroom in Karachi named Noor Gift Centre. I also design my items. I am the only manufacturer of these items in Pakistan. I also got an award in 1981 from former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, for the artisan pieces that we produce,” Murad said.
He further said, “It is not only a trade or a business, but an art that I am trying to keep alive. These special and unique items are still in vogue in Qatar. Today, even expatriates in Qatar also show an interest in purchasing these items. Mostly, the expatriates do not buy the items for daily use but for souvenir purposes. Whenever elder Qataris see my products, they show more interest because of their traditions.”
He said, “Now, I’m much at ease after the facility of on-arrival visa for Pakistanis. I come to Qatar whenever I feel like.”
About his business in Pakistan, he said, “My family has been keeping the art alive in Pakistan. However, it is very unfortunate that my children are not taking interest in the art. They are going towards more conventional education. They think it’s boring. Even my workers are leaving because it requires hard work and a lot of time. Though the demand for the traditional fare is on the rise, the manufacturing of hand-made items is decreasing. However, I’m determined to keep the art alive as long as I live”
Abdullah Fetais, a young Qatari man, was present on the stall with his father. He said, “I am looking for our traditional things. We try to follow and save our traditions. We want to spread and introduce our traditions in the world. Still we use these items at our houses for eating and for serving the guests. We use different pots and items for ourselves and for our guests.”
ARTISAN: The stall set up by Murad Noor Ali offers different kinds of German silverware with carvings done by hand.
