In a world where creativity meets sustainability, 22-year-old Mudasir Rashid from Khonmoh, Srinagar, is making waves with his unique art crafted from discarded wood. A mechanical engineer by education, Mudasir never received formal training in woodworking, yet his passion for transforming scraps into stunning handmade pieces has captured hearts across India. What started as an...
We have all used Apsara and Nataraj pencils at some point in our lives. These two brands have been a staple in Indian stationery, filling pencil boxes across generations. But did you know that both brands come from the same company, Hindustan Pencils? The story of this company is one of vision, strategy, and an...
In the heart of Srinagar, amidst the narrow lanes of Channapora, resides a master craftsman whose life has been dedicated to preserving one of Kashmir’s most intricate and cherished art forms—chain stitch embroidery. Mehrajudin Beigh, a 68-year-old artisan, has spent nearly five decades perfecting this craft, producing exquisite handmade pieces that have traveled far beyond...
In the heart of Srinagar, where traditional crafts like papier-mâché and Pashmina weaving thrive, a young artist is carving out a unique space in the world of handmade art. Sabreena Aaliya, a 28-year-old from Soura, has transformed her childhood love for art into a full-fledged career in quilling—an intricate paper craft that is still relatively...
Mushtaq Ahmad Jan (47) and Shabir Ahmad Makhdoomi (61) from Khawjapora, Srinagar, are among the last few master artisans practicing the intricate and time-honored craft of Rafugari, the art of repairing and restoring pashmina shawls. This traditional skill is essential for the preservation of heirloom shawls, which are not just expensive but also carry deep...
Span Foundation is proud to have been a part of the 6th edition of the Sahyadri Classic, supporting both Men’s and Women’s Cycling Competitions in the breathtaking Sahyadri Ghats! 🌿🏔️ As a commitment to promoting sports and empowerment, we proudly sponsored the prizes for the top three winners in the Women’s category. Zubair Sofi represented...
Ali Mohammad Dar, a master Kangri-maker from Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam District, has dedicated over 50 years to crafting these traditional Kashmiri fire pots. In recognition of his craftsmanship, he was awarded the Best Kangri-Maker Award in 2022. His expertise lies in creating Charar Kangris, renowned for their unique design and cultural significance. The Craft of...
Khazir Mohammad Dar, 65, is a craftsman from Narbal, Budgam District. He has been working tirelessly to keep alive the craft of making Kashmiri musical instruments such as the Rabab, Santoor, Sarang and the the Saitaar. Usually played by folk artists, the Kashmiri Sitar has a long body and 7 strings, and it is smaller...
Mushtaq Ahmad Bamboo, 65, of Bairi Pora Nawa Kadal, Srinagar is a noted tracer (Chappan Gour) and designer (Naqash). He has been practicing this art since last 40 years. He completed his diploma in tracing and designing in 1984 and modernized the craft by introducing patterns other than the popular floral patterns. Mushtaq has had...
Indian snowboarder Zubair Ahmad Lone has recently returned from a series of Alpine Snowboarding competitions in Europe, where he achieved remarkable success by securing a total of nine medals—seven silver and two bronze. Notably, in January 2025, Zubair made history by clinching India’s first-ever silver medal in the FIS Alpine Snowboard Race held in Serbia....
