Padma Shri Awardee Haji Ghulam Rasool Khan, resident of Amda Kadal, Srinagar, is one of the few artisans working towards preservation of  Jamawar work. Working from his workshop at home, he has been involved for decades in this unique art of patchwork of Pashmina Shawls.  Ghulam Rasool Khan has produced several priceless Jamawar designs for which he received several state and national awards. He was conferred with the Padam Shri in 2021 for his work and dedication for conserving the oldest form of Kashmiri shawl technique.

Jamawar, or gown piece, is a special type of shawl made in Kashmir, India. Jama means robe and war/var is yard. The best quality of Jamawar is built with Pashmina. Jama essentially is not linked to the fabric of pashmina or wool. It refers to the pattern or design of the shawl. An “all over” design of a shawl where there is dense embroidery, showing very little space of the body color is what we call a Jamavar. So a Jama could be a wool jama or a pashmina jama. Most of the designs seen today are floral, with the kairy/ paisley as the predominant motif. Historically handmade items, some shawls took a couple of decades to complete; consequently, original Jamawar shawls are highly valued. Depending on the type of embroidery we could get a sozni jama, ari jama or a paper mache jama.

Exemplifying his dedication and love to achieve more laurels, Ghulam Rasool Khan has been striving for Padma Bhushan award, which he says will inspire the younger generation towards the craft and its preservation and also inspire the younger generation.