Mirza Altaf Hussain Beigh, a 66-year-old Papier Mâché Naqashi artisan from Srinagar, has devoted his life to a craft he began learning at the age of six. With nearly six decades of experience, he stands among the last Kashmiri masters who carry the traditional skill of Naqashi, an intricate art involving the hand-painting of vivid...
Papier mâché is one of Kashmir’s most cherished and enduring handicrafts, practiced for centuries and admired by locals and visitors alike. Introduced to the Valley around the 14th century by Persian artisans during the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah), the craft flourished under royal patronage and became an integral part of Kashmiri culture. The art...
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...
Maqbool Jan, an artist from Srinagar’s Lal Bazar area, has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of papier-mache. Over the years, he has won several State, National, and International Awards, including the prestigious UNESCO Seal of Excellence for Handicrafts in 2007-2008. From Mughal Mohalla in Lal Bazar, Srinagar, he was forced to learn the...
