Ceramic art: The Kashi Tiles of Sindh

The art of ceramics and pottery has a great tradition in all civilizations spanning centuries yet ceramic art is one of the most neglected fields of art in South Asia. The Sindh region of Pakistan is well-known around the globe for its stunning handicrafts related to Sindhi art and ancient art genres. The history of ceramics in the Sindh region passes through the rise and decline of the ancient subcontinental Indus Civilization1, one of the oldest forms being the art of Kashi tiles. The term Kashi translates as painting. It is a Persian word that can be used for all types of glazed pottery, but in Sindh, this term is associated with the ancient Kashi tiles.2 The process of making Kashi tiles is called Kashi Kari, and the artisans who make them are called Kashigars. The small cities of Hala and Nasirpur are famous for traditional handicrafts and various kinds of handmade textiles such as Ajrak Shawl, block printed bed sheets, applique work, and Sindhi patchwork – they are also known as the home of Kashi tiles.