Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 13: Dozens of women in Balapora Wathoora area of Budgam are getting skilled in copper craft, which has been mainly dominated by men.
A training centre of government Handicrafts and handlooms department in Wathoora has been imparting training of copper craft including Kandkari to around 20 women for the last one year.
Tehmeena Manzoor told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that they have been getting training for the last 11 months and it is expected to go for a few months more.
“We faced many difficulties during the initial stage of training as we were unable to understand the craft forms but slowly and steadily we have learnt a few designs including ‘Badam and Chinar’. We are hopeful to learn more in the coming days,” She said.
She said the main reason is to learn the craft which has been male dominated to be financially self dependent.
A few members of the women’s group have already started work and they have been making copper utensils with different designs themselves to eke out their livelihood.
“We have been learning the Kandkari design. Though it is an intricate form of the art but gives a royal look to utensils,” they said.
Mukhtar Ahmad, trainer at the centre said that the training is being imparted to around two dozen women at the centre.
“Soon we will have trained craftswomen who cannot only earn for themselves but can train more people,” he added.
Apart from getting free training, the government is providing the trainees monthly stipend of Rs 1000, Mukhtar said—(KNO)
