Srinagar, October 25: The Artisan Carnival 2026, organised by Bait Ul Meeras, an initiative of Help Foundation, in collaboration with Aab-e-Rawan, witnessed enthusiastic participation from several schools, local youth, and visitors at Bait Ul Meeras, Aali Kadal, Srinagar.
The carnival aimed to promote Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and familiarise younger generations with the valley’s traditional art and craftsmanship through interactive learning and live demonstrations.
A major highlight of the event was the live presentation of traditional Kashmiri crafts, including papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, silverwork, and other indigenous art forms. Skilled artisans demonstrated their techniques, offering students an opportunity to understand the intricate processes behind these crafts.
Students showed keen interest in the demonstrations, interacting with artisans and learning about the skills and dedication involved in preserving Kashmir’s artistic traditions.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Nighat Shafi Pandit, Chairperson of Help Foundation, and Muneeb Masoodi, Founder of Aab-e-Rawan, emphasised that the Artisan Carnival marks the beginning of continued collaborative efforts to promote and preserve Kashmir’s cultural heritage. They stated that more such initiatives and larger cultural events would be organised in the future.
They further highlighted that Bait Ul Meeras would remain open to people of all ages, providing them an opportunity to experience Kashmir’s rich heritage, traditional crafts, and cultural identity up close. Both organisations reiterated their commitment to working together to strengthen cultural awareness, support local artisans, and inspire younger generations to carry forward Kashmir’s timeless traditions.
The enthusiastic response from participating schools and young visitors reflected the importance of connecting children with their cultural roots through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
The carnival concluded as a significant step towards preserving Kashmir’s living heritage and creating greater opportunities for artisans to showcase their skills to a wider audience.
