Kashmir’s carpet artisans claim to have made Asia’s largest hand-knotted carpet
File photo.
After Srinagarwas designatedamong the most creative cities in the World, Kashmir's artisans are making sure to live up to the expectations of this title. In a village called Wayil in North Kashmir's Kralpora area, a team of Kashmiri artisans have unveiled a masterpieceandit's beentouted as Asia's largest handcrafted carpet.
This hand-knotted Kashmiri carpet is 72 feet by 40 feet, covering a vast area of 2,880 square feet. It took over 25 artisans around eight long years to complete this masterpiece. The whole carpet Industry of Kashmir valley takes pride in its creation. The intricate weaving of this exceptional carpetwas overseenby two seasoned veterans of the craft, Fayaz Ahmed Shah and Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, whose unwavering dedication ensured the completion of this monumental piece despite various challenges.
''This was an order by someone from our country only. This carpet is 72 feet long and 40 feetbreadth, and we have never made such a big carpet in the Kashmir Valley ever. We had to put our minds toa lot ofthings as it required a huge loom tobe woven on. It was a big challengeandthank god it'sbeen finally completed. I am sureit will be soldabroad, andI am sure infuture we will make something bigger than this, '' said Fayaz Ahmed Shah, Craft Dealer.
The last eight years of weaving this masterpiece have not been smooth. There have been multiple obstacles that the artisans facedparticularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The lockdowns led to a lot of disruptions insupply chain.
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This carpet has written a new chapter for Kashmir's richlegacy of art and craft.The valleywhichisfamous for its Pashmina Shawls and SilkCarpetshas now found a new course with the creation of this masterpiece. And according to the craft dealers, hundreds of artisans are returning to looms to pick up carpet weaving again.
''We have artisans coming back to us after this carpetwas made.Around 226 artisans havecome backto us and saidthatthey want to work again.Wejusthope the way any employees getpaid;it has to be the same and equal wages for them as well. Our artisans need to have a life of dignityandthey shouldbe able to afford their families. I am telling you they will never leave the work if theyare paidwell.Thisis a teamwork. From the designs to artisans, everyone has worked very hardfor the making ofthis masterpiece, '' saidShah.
As this masterpiece becomes a symbol of Kashmir's craftsmanship and artistic prowess, it has also become a ray of hope for the revitalisation and recognition of local artisans and their invaluable contributions to preserving thecultural heritage of the region.
