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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
