Kashmir's vanishing treasures: Govt races against time to save heritage crafts
Srinagar, Feb 2: In a race against time to preserve centuries-old artistic traditions, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an ambitious rescue mission for three dying crafts (Namda, Gabba, Waggu) that once defined the Valley's cultural landscape.
The Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom has established a high-powered committee to breathe new life into Namda, Gabba, and Waggu - crafts that are rapidly disappearing from Kashmir's artistic repertoire.
The five-member committee, headed by the Director of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within one month.
The committee comprises senior officials from the handicrafts department, including the Joint Director, Deputy Director of Trainings/QC, Chief Designer from the School of Designs, and representatives from the Craft Development Institute (CDI) and Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) Nowshera. Their primary responsibilities will include investigating the reasons behind the decline of these crafts and proposing effective revival strategies.
"These aren't just products; they're living museums of our heritage," remarks a senior official from the Handicrafts Department, speaking on condition of anonymity. "When a craft dies, we lose not just an art form, but centuries of accumulated wisdom."
The initiative comes at a crucial juncture when traditional artisans are abandoning their ancestral crafts in favour of more lucrative occupations.
Namda, the beloved felted wool rugs that once warmed every Kashmiri home during bitter winters, now struggles to find buyers in an era of modern heating solutions. Gabba, the intricate recycled wool carpets that traditionally marked significant life events in Kashmiri households, faces similar challenges. Meanwhile, Waggu, the sustainable reed matting that naturally regulates indoor temperatures, is being replaced by synthetic alternatives.
The five-member committee, comprising top officials from various departments, has been given an ambitious one-month deadline to develop a comprehensive revival strategy. In an unprecedented move, the committee will also include active craftspeople, ensuring that the voices of artisans shape the revival process.
The committee will focus on creating a detailed registry of remaining artisans, developing sustainable financial models, establishing infrastructure for GI tagging, examining factors behind the crafts' decline, and proposing modern marketing strategies.
For 72-year-old Abdul Rashid, one of the last master Namda makers in downtown Srinagar, the initiative offers a glimmer of hope. "These crafts are not just our profession; they're our identity," he says, his weathered hands continuing to work the wool. "With proper support, we can pass this legacy to the next generation."
The committee's recommendations, due by February 28, 2025, could determine whether these ancient crafts survive the modern era. As Kashmir stands at this critical crossroads, the success of this initiative could serve as a model for cultural preservation efforts worldwide.
"This isn't just about saving crafts," concludes the official. "It's about preserving a way of life, a philosophy of sustainable living that these traditional crafts embody. In an age of mass production, these artisanal skills might hold solutions for our future."