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...
The traditional crewel work on Gaba, one of the oldest and most cherished handicrafts of the Kashmir Valley, is facing the threat of extinction due to declining demand. Syed Noorullah, a crewel artisan with 30 years of experience, has been adorning the Gaba with exquisite crewel embroidery work. However, many artisans, like him, are struggling...
After less than a decade in Zari work, 26-year-old, Afroza Jan, from Kashmir’s Ganderbal district claims to be the only female Zari work artist from her village. She primarily works with metallic threads like copper and some alloys. Jan, who learnt the Zari work in 2015 from one of her relatives, was recently conferred with an...
Despite his age, 115-year-old Kashmiri cobbler, Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh aka Gul Sheikh son of Ahmad Sheikh from Kashmir’s Bandipora district, continues to mend shoes, which he has been doing since almost a century and is a faith healer of sorts. Sheikh claims to have also worked as a labourer in gardens belonging to Maharaja Hari...
Fida Hussain Baba from Srinagar’s Nawa Kadal area is striving hard to preserve the traditional handmade Pinjirakari work. In Pinjirakari, different designs are made by interlacing the wooden members (mostly deodar and walnut) and joining them with each other with minimum use of glue, same as in khatamband. Baba, who has spent around five decades...
“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...
