Wicker Worries
As the new GST regime, brought handicrafts to the lowest five percent slab, the small, export-oriented sector is facing a crippling crisis, reports Ishtiyak...
The Silken Knot
Vested interest, negative policy interventions, market shifts and nature intervened in the unmaking of world’s biggest silk factory in Kashmir. As cocoon production fell...
Sozni Daughters
Mechanization of handicrafts apart, hundreds of youngsters, mostly girls, in Kashmir’s periphery are using the art as a decisive tool to help their families...
Weaving Wonders
Two friends are determined to revive the once famous art of crochet or Koereshi, by using social media. Heena Muzzafar met the duo to...
Saving Namda
An 18-year-old girl’s invention helped save the centuries old art of Namda making. A sports and science fiction buff, she already has her kitty...
Pashmina Portal
Disturbed by the plight of artisan a young boy is out to change the system. Ubeer Naqushbandi reports the legacy of a business family...
A Clay Thing
Not so long ago clay utensils were central to Kashmir’s lifestyle. But as plastic took over, people associated with the craft are fading into...
Noori 2.0
After seen being cradled by Omar Abdullah in March 2012, the cloned Pashmina goat Noori went out of sight instantly. Four years later, Noori...
Sozni Scientist
Born to disabled Sozni artist parents Shabir Mir picked up threads and a needle when he was just 11 to work his way out...
Golden Hands
They are the golden hands behind intricate designs and motifs that make Kashmir’s heritage handicrafts famous. But the same hands are on the brink...
Craft Kangri
For centuries, Kashmir has fought winter with the peculiar firepot, the Kangri. A visit to kangri-makers and understanding the supply demand chain makes Shakir...
Silken Strokes
Everybody in the family thought he is overqualified to be a carpet weaver. But this fine arts student was dreaming of a revolution in...
Wailing Artist
There was a time when his handmade wooden bangles would find takers in German markets. Sehar Qazi meets the artisan who finds it hard...
“Time is ripe to promote Brand Kashmir”
Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) tells Saima Bhat that the recently concluded 6th international buyer-seller meet is aimed...
Tech Interventions
From memorizing intricate designs to digitalization of Kashmiri’s art heritage, handicrafts sector has come a long way. But is technology really helping artisans to...