Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar/New Delhi, Dec 9: Jammu & Kashmir’s celebrated craft sector received a major national boost on Tuesday as two master artisans were conferred with the prestigious National Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, while two others were honoured with Certificates of Excellence at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Textiles in New Delhi.
As per news agency JKNS, those awarded the National Award include Manzoor Ahmad Khan, a master carpet weaver from Rainawari, and Khawaja Nazir Ali, an acclaimed Sozni embroidery artisan from Alamgiri Bazaar, Srinagar.
Similarly,Mashkoora Hameed from Budgam (Sozni embroidery) and Mir Arshad Hussain from Srinagar (papier-mache) were conferred with Certificates of Excellence for their outstanding craftsmanship.
Terming the achievement a proud milestone, the department said the national recognitions underline how J&K artisans continue to keep centuries-old craft traditions alive while earning admiration across India and globally. It added that the four awardees were also highlighted during the department’s recently held “Know Your Artisan” campaign aimed at promoting local craftsmanship.
“The entire artisan community of Jammu & Kashmir celebrates this accomplishment with immense pride,” the spokesman said, adding that these honours further strengthen the UT’s position as a premier hub of world-class handicrafts.
As part of its broader vision, the “Know Your Artisan” initiative — focused largely across Kashmir — continues to play a pivotal role in connecting citizens, tourists, and markets directly with master craftspeople.
The programme provides artisans a dedicated platform to showcase and sell their work, while offering the public hands-on learning experiences, interactive craft corners, and live demonstrations that highlight the authenticity of J&K’s handmade traditions.
Last month, during the ongoing Know Your Artisan Showcase, the global appeal of Kashmir’s crafts was once again evident when a foreign tourist expressed profound admiration for the valley’s artistic mastery. Visiting the exhibition at Sher-e-Kashmir Park, Srinagar, she praised the event as a vibrant blend of heritage, creativity, and originality.
Organised by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, the exhibition enables visitors to interact directly with artisans, watch traditional making processes in real time, and witness the living heritage that has shaped Kashmir’s cultural identity for centuries.
Earlier this month, during the Know Your Artisan Showcase, a foreign tourist while speaking to JKNS, described the experience as “beautiful, excellent, and amazing,” emphasizing that such platforms reveal the true essence of Kashmir’s artistry. She said the exhibition reflects “what real production and originality of Kashmir mean,” calling it a rare glimpse into the heart of India’s craft legacy.
She further noted the importance of supporting genuine handmade crafts at a time when imported, machine-made items often overshadow local artisans. “Anyone visiting here can immediately recognize the difference — the people, their effort, and their creativity. It’s all so beautiful,” she added while exploring stalls featuring papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, and fine embroidery.
The ongoing ‘Know Your Artisan’ showcase continues to draw strong public response, emerging as a meaningful bridge between Kashmir’s master artisans and a global audience, and reaffirming the valley’s position as one of the world’s most treasured craft destinations.
On Saturday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, reviewed the functioning and progress of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department (H&H) in a detailed meeting.
During the briefing, the Director H&H highlighted the success of the “Know Your Artisan Series” under the ‘Soulful Kashmir’ brand and proposed institutionalizing future editions with integrated artisan stalls, cultural presentations, live craft demonstrations, and stronger market linkages to benefit local craftspeople.
He also apprised the Div Com of the land transfer process required for setting up the ambitious Craft Tourism Village at Sonpah near Doodhpathri, an initiative expected to become a major craft-tourism landmark.
Emphasizing structured planning, the Div Com directed formulation of a comprehensive roadmap for organizing “Know Your Artisan” programmes across schools, colleges, and educational institutions to deepen public engagement with local crafts from a young age.
He further stressed synergizing the department’s annual activity calendar with the Tourism Department to ensure craft-based events are showcased at tourist destinations, heritage sites, Yatra stations, and vibrant zones around Dal Lake — including during winter sports activities.
Highlighting the role of tourism stakeholders, the Div Com called for capacity-building of tour guides to encourage visitors to explore Srinagar’s craft clusters. He also advised onboarding hoteliers and tour operators to expand collaborative efforts toward boosting artisan visibility and market access.
Regarding complaints of counterfeit handloom products being sold to tourists, the Div Com issued directions for strict enforcement and firm action against erring hoteliers involved in selling fake items, underscoring the administration’s commitment to protecting the integrity of J&K’s authentic crafts.(JKNS)
