The centuries-old art of Meenakari — the intricate enamelwork on gold, silver, and copper — is taking its last breaths in Kashmir. Once a symbol of the Valley’s refined craftsmanship, the tradition now teeters on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of artisans left to keep it alive.

Among them is Nazir Ahmad Pahalwan, 72, from Teergaripora, Rajouri Kadal in Srinagar. A devoted craftsman since 1968, Nazir learned the art from his father, the late Ghulam Nabi Pahalwan. Sitting in his modest workshop, he continues to polish and enamel metal pieces whenever he receives a rare order — though those days have become few and far between. “Meenakari work has almost disappeared,” Nazir says. “I rarely get any orders now. It’s hard to survive, but I continue because this is all I know.”

Once flourishing, the craft has witnessed a steep decline over the past 15 years. Many artisans have left the profession, forced to find alternate livelihoods. Even Nazir’s son has chosen to work as a fitter rather than inherit the family legacy. Old Kashmiri Meenakari pieces — adorned with delicate names and motifs — now exist mostly in museums and art collections, reminders of a time when Srinagar’s metalworkers were sought after across India. The process demands precision, patience, and specialized tools — qualities that few young artisans are willing to invest in today.

Despite his age, ill health, and financial strain, Nazir continues to work from his dilapidated home workshop, determined to preserve what remains of the art. Yet he knows that without institutional support, the future looks bleak. “If the government steps in and encourages young people to learn this craft, Meenakari can be revived,” he says with quiet hope. Unless that happens soon, the once-vibrant hues of Kashmiri Meenakari may fade into history — remembered only through the hands of its last torchbearers.