Ghulam Nabi Dar, a 72-year-old master craftsman from Kashmir is honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to wood carving. Watch in for more details!

India: Kashmiri artisan Ghulam Nabi Dar honoured with 'Padma Shri'

The Kashmiri copperware craft industry has been gasping for survival. Machine-made copperware products have taken over the markets. The artisans associated with the craft are trying to keep the art alive and one such artisan, Mohammad Aslam Bhat has taken it upon himself to give a new shape to the industry so that it survives forever.&nbsp;

With new designs, techniques and the introduction of unique products, Mohammad Aslam Bhat is trying to revive the craft of copperware in the Kashmir Valley. He was recently awarded by the state government for his unique ideas and innovation in the craft. Every morning, Bhat comes to his shop in the old downtown area of Srinagar to create unique copperware products which not only the locals but tourists coming from across the world like and buy.&nbsp;

''The number of artisans is coming down with every passing day, and the main reason is the machine-made products. The artisans were finding it difficult, but I have introduced some unique ideas and products which no machine would be able to make. And by God's grace, my work is going on. I want the other artisans to also innovate. This art should never die, and we must keep working on saving the craft. The government has to help as well. It's a craft going on for centuries. Copperware was my family business and I saw the machine products taking over. I studied the market and saw what buyers are wanting and that's how I started making products which were never made like showpieces and jewellery. Due to the award, a lot of people associated with the craft got encouraged too, '' said Mohammad Aslam Bhat, copperware artisan. &nbsp;

Copperware is a must-have in every Kashmir home. Earlier it was only traditional utensils made of copper used in the Kashmiri homes and now it's the decorative pieces from vases to lamp shades to phone holders to earrings and many other accessories. The process of making these products involves many artisans, which starts with moulding the raw material into various shapes followed by hand carving these products. It takes these artisans days to make a single product by hand.&nbsp;

The demand for these handmade copperware products has increased after these new designs and innovations.

''People always want something new and unique. One of the reasons I see a lot of people coming to my store is that what I sell, they won't be able to get it anywhere in the world. That is why I want other people associated with the art to innovate so that we can save this craft industry. The tourists see these products, and no one leaves the store without buying anything. And I have made sure to keep the Kashmir tradition alive in it, I have used all the Kashmiri motifs so that when people see my products, they should know it's from Kashmir. The kids today have the internet, and they can make whatever designs they want to. I do teach kids here and there is a lot of scope for this art, '' said Mohammad Aslam Bhat, copperware artisan. &nbsp;

The Kashmir's copperware artisan's association has called for a ban on machine-made products and sought government intervention to save the centuries-old craft of the Kashmir Valley.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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The Kashmiri copperware craft industry has been gasping for survival. Machine-made copperware products have taken over the markets. The artisans associated with the craft are trying to keep the art alive and one such artisan, Mohammad Aslam Bhat has taken it upon himself to give a new shape to the industry so that it survives forever.

The Kashmiri copperware craft industry has been gasping for survival. Machine-made copperware products have taken over the markets. The artisans associated with the craft are trying to keep the art alive and one such artisan, Mohammad Aslam Bhat has taken it upon himself to give a new shape to the industry so that it survives forever. With new designs, techniques and the introduction of unique products, Mohammad Aslam Bhat is trying to revive the craft of copperware in the Kashmir Valley. He was recently awarded by the state government for his unique ideas and innovation in the craft. Every morning, Bhat comes to his shop in the old downtown area of Srinagar to create unique copperware products which not only the locals but tourists coming from across the world like and buy. ''The number of artisans is coming down with every passing day, and the main reason is the machine-made products. The artisans were finding it difficult, but I have introduced some unique ideas and products which no machine would be able to make. And by God's grace, my work is going on. I want the other artisans to also innovate. This art should never die, and we must keep working on saving the craft. The government has to help as well. It's a craft going on for centuries. Copperware was my family business and I saw the machine products taking over. I studied the market and saw what buyers are wanting and that's how I started making products which were never made like showpieces and jewellery. Due to the award, a lot of people associated with the craft got encouraged too, '' said Mohammad Aslam Bhat, copperware artisan. Copperware is a must-have in every Kashmir home. Earlier it was only traditional utensils made of copper used in the Kashmiri homes and now it's the decorative pieces from vases to lamp shades to phone holders to earrings and many other accessories. The process of making these products involves many artisans, which starts with moulding the raw material into various shapes followed by hand carving these products. It takes these artisans days to make a single product by hand. The demand for these handmade copperware products has increased after these new designs and innovations. ''People always want something new and unique. One of the reasons I see a lot of people coming to my store is that what I sell, they won't be able to get it anywhere in the world. That is why I want other people associated with the art to innovate so that we can save this craft industry. The tourists see these products, and no one leaves the store without buying anything. And I have made sure to keep the Kashmir tradition alive in it, I have used all the Kashmiri motifs so that when people see my products, they should know it's from Kashmir. The kids today have the internet, and they can make whatever designs they want to. I do teach kids here and there is a lot of scope for this art, '' said Mohammad Aslam Bhat, copperware artisan. The Kashmir's copperware artisan's association has called for a ban on machine-made products and sought government intervention to save the centuries-old craft of the Kashmir Valley. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kashmiri copperware artisan takes it upon himself to save a dying art

Kashmiri artisan, Farooq Khan, has blended Kashmiri traditional art with Australia's nuno felting technique and created unique products found nowhere in the world. Khan is the only nuno felting artisan in India and has been able to unite the two crafts together to give a new life to the traditional crafts of Kashmir. Nuno felting is a technique that bonds loose fibre, usually sheep's wool, into sheer fabric like silk, etc.

It was developed in Australia decades ago and now a Kashmiri artisan has incorporated the same technique while making traditional Kashmiri Namda and silk scarves. It took Khan months to learn the craft and later make unique products now sold across the world.&nbsp;

''I started learning this technique four&nbsp;years ago and I have been selling these products for the last two years. I was helped by an organisation called Connect to Kashmir, which showed me how nuno felting was done. Then I tried mixing the two techniques for making a Kashmiri Namda. I failed the first time, tried the second time, and failed again. I knew I would be able to do it but needed time and every day after finishing my work every day, I used to sit and work on it, and finally, after two years I was able to make the products. I have made jackets, silk scarves, namdas, and shawls which are extremely light,'' said&nbsp;Khan.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-to-beat-the-cold-kashmiris-eat-harissa-this-centuries-old-cuisine-keeps-kashmiris-warm-535046">&nbsp;To beat the cold, Kashmiris eat Harissa. This centuries-old cuisine keeps Kashmiris warm</a>

Khan's family has been in Namda making crafts for decades, and it was his own curiosity that led to so many new designs and techniques being incorporated into the traditional art of Kashmir. He says that he doesn't sell these products at expensive prices as he loves making them.&nbsp;

''I have been making Namda since my childhood. I learned the craft from my Dad and uncle as they were artisans of Namda too. I was working in Kargil and saw a Namda there which led to a little curiosity about making something new. It didn't take me much time to learn, but I failed a lot of times before making it a success. I am extremely happy that I am making new things, I don't even sell these products at very expensive rates, as making them gives me the most happiness. ''said Farooq Khan, Artisan.&nbsp;

Khan has been working on these new additions and techniques with a private craft organization and is not happy with the government for not providing any support to further boost this craft. Khan has to travel outside Kashmir valley to get the raw material for making these products. He says that he went to the government many times asking for making the raw material available to the artisans in the valley. But no one has done anything about it.&nbsp;

''The main issue is the wool. They have great quality wool and yarn in a country like Nepal, but we don't have anything available in Kashmir. The government is not helping us at all. I wanted colored wool for making these products and went to the government many times to make it available to the artisans in the valley. But they have not done it. We have to go to Ludhiana to get this and that too has to be bought in bulk even when making samples. It is a very expensive deal for us, and I had requested the government to make it available so that we could buy from them. '' said Farooq Khan, Artisan.&nbsp;

Its artisans like Farooq, are not only incorporating the new designs and techniques into the traditional arts and crafts of Kashmir but also making sure that the art lives forever.

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Kashmiri artisan, Farooq Khan, has blended Kashmiri traditional art with Australia's nuno felting technique and created unique products found nowhere in the world.

Kashmiri artisan, Farooq Khan, has blended Kashmiri traditional art with Australia's nuno felting technique and created unique products found nowhere in the world. Khan is the only nuno felting artisan in India and has been able to unite the two crafts together to give a new life to the traditional crafts of Kashmir. Nuno felting is a technique that bonds loose fibre, usually sheep's wool, into sheer fabric like silk, etc. It was developed in Australia decades ago and now a Kashmiri artisan has incorporated the same technique while making traditional Kashmiri Namda and silk scarves. It took Khan months to learn the craft and later make unique products now sold across the world. ''I started learning this technique four years ago and I have been selling these products for the last two years. I was helped by an organisation called Connect to Kashmir, which showed me how nuno felting was done. Then I tried mixing the two techniques for making a Kashmiri Namda. I failed the first time, tried the second time, and failed again. I knew I would be able to do it but needed time and every day after finishing my work every day, I used to sit and work on it, and finally, after two years I was able to make the products. I have made jackets, silk scarves, namdas, and shawls which are extremely light,'' said Khan. Also read | To beat the cold, Kashmiris eat Harissa. This centuries-old cuisine keeps Kashmiris warm Khan's family has been in Namda making crafts for decades, and it was his own curiosity that led to so many new designs and techniques being incorporated into the traditional art of Kashmir. He says that he doesn't sell these products at expensive prices as he loves making them. ''I have been making Namda since my childhood. I learned the craft from my Dad and uncle as they were artisans of Namda too. I was working in Kargil and saw a Namda there which led to a little curiosity about making something new. It didn't take me much time to learn, but I failed a lot of times before making it a success. I am extremely happy that I am making new things, I don't even sell these products at very expensive rates, as making them gives me the most happiness. ''said Farooq Khan, Artisan. Khan has been working on these new additions and techniques with a private craft organization and is not happy with the government for not providing any support to further boost this craft. Khan has to travel outside Kashmir valley to get the raw material for making these products. He says that he went to the government many times asking for making the raw material available to the artisans in the valley. But no one has done anything about it. ''The main issue is the wool. They have great quality wool and yarn in a country like Nepal, but we don't have anything available in Kashmir. The government is not helping us at all. I wanted colored wool for making these products and went to the government many times to make it available to the artisans in the valley. But they have not done it. We have to go to Ludhiana to get this and that too has to be bought in bulk even when making samples. It is a very expensive deal for us, and I had requested the government to make it available so that we could buy from them. '' said Farooq Khan, Artisan. Its artisans like Farooq, are not only incorporating the new designs and techniques into the traditional arts and crafts of Kashmir but also making sure that the art lives forever. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Kashmir: Artisan blends traditional Kashmiri art with nuno felting technique to create world class products

Kashmir Valley has been hit by an intense cold wave with temperatures&nbsp;dipping to sub-zero as&nbsp;people in the Valley have been using every method and appliance to keep themselves warm. But the age-old Kangri (earthen pot) still is the favourite to keep themselves&nbsp;warm.&nbsp;

Kangri is an earthen pot encased in a wicker basket. The weaving around it is intricate and beautifully designed. The locals in the Valley call it a portable heater to keep warm under freezing condictions.&nbsp;

The Chraar-e-Shareef area in central Kashmir's Budgam district is known for making the best Kangri's in the Kashmir Valley. For its craftsmanship and quality, lakhs of Kangri's are sold every winter from this area.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kangri weavers in J&amp;K" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c56a2b23-6c2f-48d7-879f-bf6bfab5fde8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/kk3.jpeg" />

''Necessity is the mother of invention. We live in a region which is very cold with&nbsp;at least for 4-5 months of winter. And to counter the cold, Kangri was invented. It keeps us warm. It has new designs&nbsp;now as well,"&nbsp; said Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a Kangri businessman.&nbsp;

"We get raw material from the jungle for weaving. We dry the twigs and later colour it. There is an earthen pot inside. It's a lot of work for the artisans. There are various types of Kangris. And their&nbsp;pricing also depends on the same. It's a part of our culture and also a necessity,"&nbsp; Bhat added.

"Although there are new heating devices in the market, this can never go out of fashion. It's a craft which will always stay here. The best craftsmanship of making the Kangri is in this area of Chraar-e-Shareef. There is no electricity in our areas, we have huge power cuts and that's why Kangri is our best way to keep warm,'' he said.&nbsp;

One artisan makes around 3-4 Kangris in a day. The artisans say that the demand for Kangri has gone up. The long power cuts make most of the new gadgets and appliances useless while countering cold. So Kangri is a tradition as well as a&nbsp;necessity for the&nbsp;Kashmir Valley.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kangri weavers in J&amp;K" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88f71468-14db-4546-aac8-e56bb8768079" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/KK4.jpeg" />

"I have been making these Kangris for 21 years. Our Kangris are famous for weaving. We take a lot of time to gather the raw material and use the best quality. We also get orders to weave Kangris for decoration. In our area, we must be making around 3 lakh Kangris every year. Now even people who were not associated with this craft have started making these Kangris,'' said Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, an artisan.&nbsp;

Kangri making is also an art in itself. Artisans use different colours while weaving to make it look beautiful. The weaving is done stepwise and that decides the pricing of the Kangri.&nbsp;

''I make around four&nbsp;Kangris a day. The best quality Kangri is made in our area. We have beautiful colourful Kangris. It has many types, we differentiate the Kangris on the basis of workmanship. The weaving is done in steps and there are many such steps which make them better. I have been making Kangris&nbsp;for ages, although the rate of raw material has gone up. Kashmiris cannot do without the Kangri,'' Ghulam Nabi&nbsp;Bhat said.&nbsp;

The younger generation has also started to pick up this art. They say&nbsp;with growing unemployment, they have also learnt the art from their elders and will teach the next generation as well.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kangri weavers in J&amp;K" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c247882b-393c-4143-a463-4781d651ec50" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/JJ1.jpeg" />

''I have been making it for the last fiver&nbsp;years due to unemployment I started making Kangris. I looked for a job and didn't&nbsp;get any so finally started making them. The younger generation doesn't want to be associated with it. We were taught by our elders and we will teach it to our future generations. '' said Nasir Hussain Bhat, an artisan.

Kangri works on burning coal and it does have side effects. Experts say that it can cause skin burns, pollution and sometimes also be responsible for fire incidents in many areas,&nbsp;so while using Kangri's a lot of protection needs to be taken.

Kashmir Valley has been hit by an intense cold wave with temperatures dipping to sub-zero as people in the Valley have been using every method and appliance to keep themselves warm.

Kashmir Valley has been hit by an intense cold wave with temperatures dipping to sub-zero as people in the Valley have been using every method and appliance to keep themselves warm. But the age-old Kangri (earthen pot) still is the favourite to keep themselves warm. Kangri is an earthen pot encased in a wicker basket. The weaving around it is intricate and beautifully designed. The locals in the Valley call it a portable heater to keep warm under freezing condictions. The Chraar-e-Shareef area in central Kashmir's Budgam district is known for making the best Kangri's in the Kashmir Valley. For its craftsmanship and quality, lakhs of Kangri's are sold every winter from this area. ''Necessity is the mother of invention. We live in a region which is very cold with at least for 4-5 months of winter. And to counter the cold, Kangri was invented. It keeps us warm. It has new designs now as well," said Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a Kangri businessman. "We get raw material from the jungle for weaving. We dry the twigs and later colour it. There is an earthen pot inside. It's a lot of work for the artisans. There are various types of Kangris. And their pricing also depends on the same. It's a part of our culture and also a necessity," Bhat added. "Although there are new heating devices in the market, this can never go out of fashion. It's a craft which will always stay here. The best craftsmanship of making the Kangri is in this area of Chraar-e-Shareef. There is no electricity in our areas, we have huge power cuts and that's why Kangri is our best way to keep warm,'' he said. One artisan makes around 3-4 Kangris in a day. The artisans say that the demand for Kangri has gone up. The long power cuts make most of the new gadgets and appliances useless while countering cold. So Kangri is a tradition as well as a necessity for the Kashmir Valley. "I have been making these Kangris for 21 years. Our Kangris are famous for weaving. We take a lot of time to gather the raw material and use the best quality. We also get orders to weave Kangris for decoration. In our area, we must be making around 3 lakh Kangris every year. Now even people who were not associated with this craft have started making these Kangris,'' said Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, an artisan. Kangri making is also an art in itself. Artisans use different colours while weaving to make it look beautiful. The weaving is done stepwise and that decides the pricing of the Kangri. ''I make around four Kangris a day. The best quality Kangri is made in our area. We have beautiful colourful Kangris. It has many types, we differentiate the Kangris on the basis of workmanship. The weaving is done in steps and there are many such steps which make them better. I have been making Kangris for ages, although the rate of raw material has gone up. Kashmiris cannot do without the Kangri,'' Ghulam Nabi Bhat said. The younger generation has also started to pick up this art. They say with growing unemployment, they have also learnt the art from their elders and will teach the next generation as well. ''I have been making it for the last fiver years due to unemployment I started making Kangris. I looked for a job and didn't get any so finally started making them. The younger generation doesn't want to be associated with it. We were taught by our elders and we will teach it to our future generations. '' said Nasir Hussain Bhat, an artisan. Kangri works on burning coal and it does have side effects. Experts say that it can cause skin burns, pollution and sometimes also be responsible for fire incidents in many areas, so while using Kangri's a lot of protection needs to be taken.

Kashmiris prefer Kangri to keep themselves warm in sub-zero temperature

Best known for making ‘Paper Mache’ art, an artisan from Kashmir, Maqbool Jan endeavours to retain old culture of Srinagar. He is making an old map on 5X7 ft cloth art paper of Srinagar, which showcases past Dal Lake and other famous tourist places of the district. Maqbool is working for last one year on the map, keeping an eye on minor details. He wants the map to be preserved in the Parliament. Maqbool’s aim is to spread awareness about Srinagar’s culture to new generation.