Naqashi on Kashmir’s silverware dates back to the Mughal period. Mushtaq Ahmad Sodagar, 42, of Guzarbal in Ganderbal, has been a silver designer (naqash) for over two decades. However, due to dwindling demand he only designs on request and has moved over to copper designing which is more popular and gets him a steady income....
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 timeless art of Filigree (Turkwaaz) in Kashmir is on the brink of extinction, with most skilled artisans opting for other livelihoods due to its dwindling demand. Only a handful of dedicated artisans continue to practice this intricate handmade craft. The availability of machine-made filigree from Odisha has made it difficult for the handmade products...
Basket-weaving is one of the world’s oldest crafts, and is also widely practiced in the Valley. Willow wood is most commonly used and the kangri is one of the traditional items crafted from the wicker. The soil and climatic conditions of the Ganderbal District are the best for the cultivation and production of willow wicker...
Papier mache is a 700 year old craft of Kashmir. The process of making papier mache products is a result of two- stage techniques … the first stage involves the sakhta-saz, who makes the object with paper pulp; the second stage is of the naqash, who decorates the object with artwork. The sakhta-saz prepares a...
Nisar Ahmed Bhat,70, of Fateh Kadal, Srinagar is probably the last artist of the Valley involved in the craft of turquoise or Ferozi. The craft of Turquoise or Ferozi originated in Iran and came to Kashmir , as with many other crafts, with Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (Shah-e-Hamdan). Nisar’s grandfather learnt it at a famous...
Zaroo Gun Factory is one of only two family-run workshops in Srinagar. Violence in the region and crackdowns on gun licenses have decimated the business, but the Zaroos are determined to keep the craft alive. Zaroo gun factory was established in 1958 by Ghulam Mohammad Zaroo in Nowhatta, Srinagar. The small dark workshop packed with...
Surjeet Singh has been making swords and kirpans for the last 50 years. He is the main karigar at the Simran Industries in Ajit Nagar, Amritsar. He is the first in his family to learn this craft. He learnt it at the Ajit Singh Karkhana. The kirpan is a curved, single-edged blade that Khalsa Sikhs...
