A husband-and-wife duo from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have dedicated their lives to preserving the centuries-old art of Kani Shawl weaving. Based in Agri Kalan, Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Ganie and Jabeen Banoo have been involved in the intricate craft of Kani weaving since decades, and are now training others in the community. Together, they are...
Abdul Rashid Rather, a well known acrylic painting artist from Srinagar’s Bohri Kadal, has been associated with the art since the last 35 years despite the current demand for the art being very low. Rather said that the Acrylic painting was once a popular medium due to its vibrant colours and versatility, however, it is...
Muzzafar Hussain Sheikh, a 45-year-old Kashmiri craftsman, is among the few artisans in the Valley known for Kalamkari. In Paper-Mache Kalamkari, artisans meticulously draw floral designs on wooden surfaces using different colours and brushes, giving it a look similar to that of paper-mache design, which is formed on mashed soaked papers. Kalam implies ‘pen’ (or...
“The Silverwork of Kashmir is extremely beautiful and some of the indigenous patterns, the Chinar and Lotus lea are of exquisite designs.” – Robert Lawrence Roaffe Kaem or silver artistry of Kashmir is a dying art as just a handful of elderly craftsmen are left in the Valley who fear the art will die...
Tariq Ahmad Zargar, 55, from Karanagar is the CEO of kashmers.com. He returned to Kashmir after working for a digital marketing company for 30 years in Dubai. As a marketing Guru, Tariq Zargar understands the evolving consumer preferences. He saw an opportunity in Kashmir to showcase Kashmiri handicrafts in a new manner that will resonate...
Located in Uri area of North Kashmir’s Boniyar Tehsil, Baramulla district, the picturesque village of Dudran is a testament to the preservation of ancient Kashmiri traditions. Dudran, as the name suggests, is a “milk village” rooted in the age-old traditions of cattle rearing and dairy dating back centuries. Each of the 70-odd households, like that...
In the heart of Srinagar’s old city, 70-year-old master woodcarver Ghulam Nabi Zargar meticulously crafts intricate designs capturing the essence of Kashmir, from the serene landscapes to the rich tapestry of mythological tales. He has been painstakingly carving three-dimensional artworks, since last five decades in his workshop located in Kalashpora, Khanyar area of Srinagar. His...
Padma Shri Awardee Haji Ghulam Rasool Khan, resident of Amda Kadal, Srinagar, is one of the few artisans working towards preservation of Jamawar work. Working from his workshop at home, he has been involved for decades in this unique art of patchwork of Pashmina Shawls. Ghulam Rasool Khan has produced several priceless Jamawar designs for...
In 1970, lavender was brought to Kashmir from Bulgaria by Dr Akhtar Hussain, the then Scientist In-charge of the Field Station and founder Director of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow. He introduced lavender cultivation at Field Station Pulwama which is about 35 km south of Srinagar. Although lavender was also...
Crewel work is a hand-embroidery technique traditionally done in Kashmir, with a hook (aari) and mostly on woolen yarns in single or 2-ply with colours ranging from white to multi-coloured. Crewel Embroidery is usually done on bolts of fabric in varying widths – 56″ wide dusooti cotton manufactured locally in Kashmir being the most common....
