Artistry fuels transformation, turning imagination into impact and communities into forces of innovation.

Manifesto
Snow-capped mountains overlooking a rural village with small houses, a winding dirt road, and leafless trees.
Close-up of a person working on a textile loom with hands adjusting the weaving, with the textile in progress and the loom's wooden and metal parts visible.
Close-up of a handwritten letter in Persian script on paper.
Person holding a hawk in outdoor setting, wearing a brown jacket and black glove, with a red string attached to the hawk's leg.
Two elderly hands handling raw sheep wool on a burlap cloth outdoors.
Interior of a rustic, unfinished room with dirt floor, peeling walls, and old decorative wooden beams on the ceiling.
Wall mural featuring line art of four indigenous women wearing traditional clothing and accessories, with detailed necklaces and headpieces, on a textured wall.
Aland sheep grazing in a forested area with tall trees and grass.
A polo match with players on horseback racing across a grass field, a large crowd of spectators watching from the sidelines, and a mountainous landscape in the background.
Person drawing intricate patterns and a dragon on a large sheet of paper, using a pen, with a focus on the detailed artwork.
Close-up of a layered metallic chain necklace on a textured surface.

Carving Brilliance in Heritage, Sustainability and Social Justice

Inspired by the name Lálgar, meaning "one who carves out ruby," the Lálgar Foundation embodies the transformative power of refining and illuminating cultural treasures. Founded by Adil Iqbal and Arshad Irfan, the Foundation serves as a custodian of heritage, preserving the brilliance and depth of traditions while addressing critical global challenges.

With expertise spanning traditional crafts, performing arts, literature, archaeology, and architecture, Lálgar fosters creative solutions that merge tradition with innovation. Rooted in the heritage of Chitral and shaped by global insights from Scotland to Pakistan, the Foundation advocates for climate justice, linguistic diversity, and cross-cultural collaboration. Like a master craftsman shaping a gem, Lálgar uncovers the hidden richness of indigenous knowledge, empowering communities to craft a just and vibrant future through arts, storytelling, and advocacy.

Close-up of weathered, carved wood with floral and geometric patterns.

Our Values

  • Honouring and preserving cultural treasures through the safeguarding of crafts, performing arts, literature, archaeology, and architecture. We strive to ensure that the richness of traditions is passed on to future generations.

  • Addressing the climate crisis through innovative, sustainable practices that balance environmental preservation with the longevity of cultural and creative industries. We are committed to fostering resilient communities that thrive in harmony with nature.

  • Celebrating the depth, diversity, and beauty of indigenous knowledge by refining and illuminating its value for a global audience. We are inspired by the art of carving brilliance from tradition

  • Fostering creativity as a tool for social, cultural, and environmental transformation. By empowering individuals and communities, we inspire meaningful change through storytelling, arts, and advocacy.

  • Advocating for climate justice, gender equality, and inclusivity while building bridges across cultures. We champion cooperation and amplify marginalised voices to create a more equitable, sustainable, and interconnected world.

“Lálgar is where heritage finds new light, where traditions breathe and evolve. Like a gem shaped by time, we carve stories, craft connections, and kindle creativity. Rooted in culture, inspired by renewal—we honor the past, shape the present, and illuminate the future.”

— Adil Iqbal

Lálgar Atelier

Close-up of elderly woman's weathered hands with rings, showing her nails painted red, wearing a cozy patterned and fluffy sweater, with a blurred background.

Honouring Heritage, Weaving the Future

Our atelier breathes new life into Chitral’s material culture. Every piece created in our studio is a meditation on memory—a careful rendering of the past into patterns that resonate today. We do not mass-produce. We work slowly, and with intention—honouring the land, the labour, and the legacy in every thread.

Close-up of embroidered floral design with metallic threads on fabric.

A Global Dialogue in Threads

Anchored in Chitral, oriented to the world. Làlgar Atelier connects heritage practices with contemporary design and social impact. Our craft practice circulates internationally with communities who recognise making as cultural expression, as identity, and as connective tissue across difference.

People viewing artwork in an art gallery, with paintings hung on the white walls and wooden flooring.

Slow Craft, Deep Impact

Beyond textiles, Làlgar Atelier is a movement. A movement towards climate-conscious craft, linguistic diversity, and women’s empowerment. We believe in making as a quiet form of activism, where the patient repetition of needle and thread reclaims space for those unheard, where fabric becomes a canvas for justice, resilience, and beauty.

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