The Kumar family from Srinagar is renowned for their exquisite glazed pottery,also known as Dalgate pottery or Khanyar pottery (locally known as Rogan-i-Keam) . Abdul Salam Kumar, from Ishber Nishat, began his journey in the craft of pottery at the age of 10, working alongside his father. Today, together with his three sons, he has preserved and continued this traditional craft. Their showroom is in the Hazratbal area.

Mohammad Umar Kumar, his son, a commerce graduate, has joined his father and infused new life in to the craft. He as developed new techniques and designs that include making items by using waste products like glass panes, battery cells, eggshells, dry cell rods and a metal for colour combination. His products were displayed at the recently held tourism meet at the G-20 summit. Last year he had made 15,000 earthen diyas for Diwali, a dealer in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Umar, besides working on the earthen lamps also make tumbaknaris, Kashmiri musical instruments made from clay, used mostly for singing wedding songs in Kashmir. This instrument is said to have originated in Central Asia.

He also makes earthen pots for kangris. One of their most popular items are the decorative tiles with patterns of Chinar leaves. The tiles Kumar makes are made from different raw materials including zinc, glass and copper, besides iron dust for red colour and black from dry battery.

According to Umar the families involved in pottery in Srinagar city have reduced from 500 to a mere 40. He learnt glazed pottery from Ghulam Muhammad Kumar, the 81-year-old artist from Khanyar area of Srinagar. After learning the craft he decided to teach the skill to youngsters in a bid to keep it from sliding into obscurity. He has trained almost 17 people so far. Umar says that there are machines available to make and improve quality of pottery, but despite several requests to the concerned authorities, nothing has been done.