JK: Fifth craft safari traverses downtown Srinagar

The Safari started from Rainawari with a team of officers from the Handicrafts and Handloom Department alongside the Director, intellectuals, academic scholars, journalists, tour operators, students and people from various fields.

The starting point of the safari was the Pottery unit of Muhammad Rafiq Kumar, an official statement said.

The group was mesmerised to see the craft and the participants were made aware about the efforts that the department is making to revive the pottery craft.

Rain failed to stop the march of the team to the Silverware unit of Shamim Ahmad who has spent more than 30 years in the art of creating fascinating hand crafted silver ornaments.

Shamim, a master artisan associated with creating antique designs and classic silverware patterns, has his collections exported and admired by connoisseurs across the globe.

After traversing the lanes and bylanes, the team then reached the Wood Carving unit of Farooq Ahmad Gadyari, whose unit is an epitome of ornamental and delicate craft process unique to Kashmir.

The products of the unit present visually interesting effects with carving intricacies and varied designs.

The motifs on the wooden artifacts are inspired from the various natural wonders of Kashmir, Chinar leaves, Vine leaves, flowers like Lotus and Rose.

Then afterwards, the elegant treasure of Copperware was witnessed by the team in the unit of Mohammad Ashraf Najar.

“Copperware has been an indispensable commodity in Kashmir since ages and the artisans associated with this particular craft are known for their work of engraving and for making household and decorative products.

"The designs have evolved a level up in the copperware as more people are showing interest in copper utensils owing to their benefits,” it said.

The team felt nostalgic at the Namda unit of Muhammad Sidiq.

Felting the wool rather than weaving it, makes Namda unique. The participants were taken aback after realising the processes that make a complete Namda.

The fifth edition of safari concluded by the visiting team to the Zari unit of Nazi Ahmed Malla , where the group witnessed craftsmen doing Zari embroidery with fine needles in which the Zari thread made either of gold or silver is laid upon the fabric.