Papier mâché is one of Kashmir’s most cherished and enduring handicrafts, practiced for centuries and admired by locals and visitors alike. Introduced to the Valley around the 14th century by Persian artisans during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah), the craft flourished under royal patronage and became an integral part of Kashmiri culture. The art involves transforming waste paper into beautiful decorative objects through a meticulous process — paper is soaked, pulped, and mixed with glue to form a malleable material that is then molded, dried, and intricately painted, often with motifs inspired by nature such as chinar leaves, flowers,...
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Photo Essay: Saiqa Rashid – Engineering Art and Soul in the Heart of Kashmir
In the bustling lanes of Srinagar, Saiqa Rashid, an Assistant Engineer at the Power Development Department (PDD), is quietly crafting a world of colour, calligraphy, and meaning. What began as a childhood fascination with mehndi designs and art competitions has evolved into a profound journey of self-expression and spiritual creativity. Though her artistic pursuits paused as life’s responsibilities took over, the Covid-19 pandemic rekindled her passion. In moments of solitude, Saiqa found solace in paint and ink, transforming her emotions into intricate calligraphic forms and abstract compositions. Deeply inspired by Kashmir’s natural beauty and cultural richness, her work reflects the...
Photo Essay: The Fading Fire of Kashmiri Meenakari
The centuries-old art of Meenakari — the intricate enamelwork on gold, silver, and copper — is taking its last breaths in Kashmir. Once a symbol of the Valley’s refined craftsmanship, the tradition now teeters on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of artisans left to keep it alive. Among them is Nazir Ahmad Pahalwan, 72, from Teergaripora, Rajouri Kadal in Srinagar. A devoted craftsman since 1968, Nazir learned the art from his father, the late Ghulam Nabi Pahalwan. Sitting in his modest workshop, he continues to polish and enamel metal pieces whenever he receives a rare order —...
Photo Essay: Abdul Majeed Zargar – The Last Guardian of Kashmir’s Mukh Craft
Abdul Majeed Zargar, a 75-year-old artisan from Amda Kadal Jogiwan in Srinagar, is known as Kashmir’s last surviving maker of the traditional “Mukh” — a shuttle boat essential for handloom weaving. For decades, he has hand-crafted these wooden tools, which play a crucial role in the production of Pashmina and Tusha textiles. The Mukh is used to carry the weft yarn across the warp threads on a loom, making it indispensable to the weaving process. Unlike modern alternatives, Zargar’s Mukh are carved entirely by hand using simple chisels and files, requiring no machines, and are valued for their durability and...
Photo Essay: Reviving a Forgotten Craft – The Story of Tahir Ahmad Kalwal
Tahir Ahmad Kalwal, 56, hails from Onta Bhawan Soura in Srinagar. Forced to leave the valley during the peak of insurgency in the 1990s, he relocated to Delhi in search of safety and livelihood. It was there, far from home, that he was introduced to the delicate and demanding art of fur-work. Intrigued and determined, Kalwal trained in the craft, gradually mastering the process of transforming animal hides—especially sheepskin—into high-quality leather products. Years later, he returned to Kashmir with a mission: to revive the nearly forgotten tradition of fur-work in the valley. Today, he is among the few remaining artisans...
Photo Essay: The Silent Sculptor – Mohammed Yousaf Muran’s Mastery in Walnut Wood
Meet Mohammed Yousaf Muran, Kashmir’s Deaf-Mute Wood Carving Maestro Mohammed Yousaf Muran, a 67-year-old artist from the Eidgah area of Srinagar, has spent decades defying limitations imposed by a world that often overlooks the differently-abled. Deaf and mute since birth, Muran has transformed his physical challenges into a wellspring of creative expression, carving exquisite sculptures from walnut wood with extraordinary finesse and passion. Each morning at precisely 9 am, Muran steps into his backyard with a quiet smile and purposeful resolve. After surveying the pile of logs, he selects a round block of wood and retreats into a narrow, elongated...
Photo Essay: Kashmiri Papier Mache Artisan Triumphs at Iranian Craft Festival
In a proud moment for Kashmir, Mir Arshad Hussain, a talented papier mache artist from Srinagar, has claimed first prize at the 9th International Fajr Festival of Handicrafts (Sarv-e-Simin) held in Tehran, Iran. The festival, which showcases the finest craftsmanship from around the world, saw thousands of artisans competing for the top honour. However, it was Hussain’s exquisite and intricately detailed papier mache piece that captivated the jury, earning him the coveted award. A Global Stage for Kashmiri Craftsmanship Hussain’s triumph not only highlights his individual brilliance but also shines a spotlight on Kashmir’s rich artistic legacy. Papier mache, known...
Photo Essay: The Sweet Tradition of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh’s Phirni – A Ramadan Delight in Srinagar
As the sun sets over Srinagar, signaling the end of a long day of fasting during Ramadan, a familiar sight emerges in the bustling lanes of Aali Kadal. A crowd gathers, eager and expectant, around the humble cart of 73-year-old Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, a man renowned for his special Phirni—a creamy, fragrant dessert that has become an essential part of iftar for many. For over six decades, Nazir Ahmad Sheikh has been carrying forward a sweet legacy, one that he inherited from his father. With a lifetime dedicated to perfecting the craft, he continues to serve generations with the same...
Photo Essay: Turning Scraps into Masterpieces – Mudasir Rashid’s Journey with Wood Art
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 experiment soon turned into a thriving business when he launched his social media page, That Kashmiri Crafter. With overwhelming support online, his work found buyers nationwide, proving the power of digital platforms in shaping modern entrepreneurship. Mudasir’s process is deeply intuitive—each piece of scrap wood...
Photo Essay: The Story of India’s Pencil Giants and the Hidden ‘Pencil Village’ of Kashmir
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 entire ecosystem built around the humble pencil. The Birth of Hindustan Pencils Hindustan Pencils was founded in 1958 by three friends who traveled to Germany to master the art of pencil-making. With their newfound knowledge, they devised a clever marketing strategy: to create two separate...
Photo Essay: The Legacy of Mehrajudin Beigh: Preserving Kashmir’s Chain Stitch Embroidery
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 the valley, even gracing the White House in the United States. Born in Nawab Bazar, Shehr-e-Khaas, Beigh’s journey into the world of chain stitch embroidery was not a familial legacy but a passion that grew from his surroundings. As a young boy, he was captivated...
Photo Essay: Sabreena Aaliya – The Quilling Artist Crafting a Niche in Kashmir’s Art Scene
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 uncommon in Kashmir. From Hobby to Passion Sabreena’s artistic journey began with a deep fascination for drawing and handmade crafts. However, it was only after completing her Master’s degree in Arabic that she stumbled upon quilling, a technique that involves rolling, looping, and shaping thin...