by Saqlain Ashraf
SRINAGAR: In a tribal belt of Tral, where many residents struggle for necessities and depend largely on daily wage labour, a young craftsman is quietly building a livelihood for himself and others through traditional copper handicraft.
Imtiyaz Ahmad, 18, a resident of Gujjar Basti in Lurgam village, has taken up copper craft at a time when employment opportunities in Kashmir are shrinking. Through his small workshop, he is not only shaping his own future but also passing on skills to teenagers from his community.
The handicraft sector has supported Kashmir’s economy for decades and remains known beyond the region. Among its traditional crafts is copper work, which involves engraving decorative patterns onto copperware. The craft relies on forging and etching techniques to transform copper sheets into functional and artistic items. Introduced to Kashmir from Central Asia in the eighteenth century, copper craft has been passed down through generations. It continues to support hundreds of families who depend on it for their livelihood.
Imtiyaz is among the youngest in his area to learn the craft and was the first from his village to do so. “It took me one and a half years to learn this skill. My cousin from a nearby village introduced me to this art form three years ago, and now I am running this small workshop,” he said.
Belonging to a tribal community where most residents rely on daily wage work, Imtiyaz chose a different path. As job opportunities have become limited, many young people in Kashmir are exploring alternatives to conventional employment, including handicrafts, agriculture, small enterprises and online trade.
Imtiyaz has been working in copper craft for the past three years and has begun training other teenagers from his neighbourhood. “Along with my brother, I am training other teenagers in our community. Two of them have already started their own work,” he said.
Several youths trained by him are now learning to understand market demands while continuing to practise traditional craft. For many young people, completing their education often leads to prolonged job searches or low-paying private sector employment. Imtiyaz believes learning a skill offers a more reliable path.
“Instead of staying unemployed at home, it is better to master a craft. It will definitely provide a reliable source of income,” he said.
