by Saqib Khursheed
SRINAGAR: Ganderbal’s Shairpathri belt has emerged as a hub for the traditional willow wicker, locally known as Shaaksazi or Kaani Keam. Comprising 25-26 villages, the belt specialises in weaving baskets, vases, and kitchenware from locally cultivated willow reeds.
Amidst challenges and evolving market dynamics, artisans in Shairpathri are successfully revitalising the craft. Adapting to contemporary designs, they have garnered international acclaim for their intricate creations.
Bashir Ahmad, a Shakhsaz highlighted the impact of the 2020 training provided by the Shaaksaz Willow-Wicker Craft Producer Company Limited (SWCPCL), which facilitated the renovation of wicker products. Presently, all wicker items woven in the belt bear the ODOP tag, endorsed by the Ganderbal district administration, and are available for purchase both nationally and internationally.
The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, a government-led initiative, plays a pivotal role in showcasing unique products or crafts from each district. In Ganderbal, this initiative is propelling the integration of Willow Wicker products onto the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform.
The objective is to offer a prominent space for local artisans, exporters, and traders to exhibit and sell their Willow Wicker products. This initiative, aligned with the broader goal of fostering economic growth, simultaneously safeguards and promotes the rich tradition of the region’s distinctive crafts.
Resident artisans in Shairpathri specialise in crafting a diverse range of products from willow wicker, encompassing baskets, vases, kitchenware, home decor items, planters, lampshades, trays, wall plates, cradles, kangris, chairs, and sofas. Habibullah, a seasoned artist with 45 years of experience, has played a major role in passing on this craft to numerous individuals, including his own family members.
Notably, Shairpathri comprises 25 villages, which includes Shallabugh, Kachan, Gogjigund, Harran, Gund-Rehman, Pirpora, Sindhbal, Sehpora, Kurag, Daribal, Hakimgund, and Paribal, where residents predominantly engage in this craft for their livelihood.
Against the backdrop of escalating unemployment, there is a growing attraction among young, educated individuals towards this craft as a means of income. These villages are pivotal in the cultivation and export of willow reeds, involving various stages such as cultivation, boiling, peeling, and drying of the reeds.
Abdul Rashid, a local artist, delineated the year-round cycle involved in the willow craft, commencing with planting in March and concluding with harvesting in November. “The harvested willows undergo a meticulous series of processes, including boiling, peeling, and drying, before skilled craftsmen fashion them into intricate pieces,” he said. Shairpathri’s influence transcends its boundaries, with the exported willow reeds enhancing the craft in neighbouring districts such as Srinagar, Bandipora, and Kulgam.
Shakir, a local student, shared his involvement in weaving willow items alongside his father during holidays, expressing pride in sustaining the family legacy. “I encourage unemployed youth in the locality to consider this craft as a viable source of income,’ he said.
In a significant move towards skill development, the District Administration has inaugurated the Willow Wicker Skill Up-gradation Center at Kachan village under the Karkhandar scheme. This initiative underscores the commitment to empower the community and enhance their skills.
The Shairpathri villages in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal region are recognised as premier producers of willow wicker items, with the majority of the population engaged in this craft. Advocacy is needed from government officials to facilitate the sale of these items in both national and international markets. Additionally, there is a call for increased training and workshops to further refine this art form. The onus also falls on local youth to actively participate in this craft and safeguard its legacy.
