Srinagar officially designated as World Craft City
Governance
July 31st 2024 will be remembered by people of Kashmir, especially the handicraft / handloom artisans for the years to come. As Srinagar has been designated as World Craft City -WCC, it is indeed a matter of pride for the people associated with handicrafts & handloom trade, specially the craftsmen. It was an honour to have the WCC International President Saad Al Qaddumi in Srinagar, who came all the way from Kuwait to Kashmir. Mr Saad not only represents WCC a 60 year old prestigious non profit organisation but he also happens to be a proud son of Late Dr Gadha Hijjawi Al Qaddumi who is world renowned personality in the field of Islamic art and architecture & an alumnus of Harvard University.
A grand function was held at Srinagar’s Sher e Kashmir International Convention Centre -SKICC on Wednesday July 31st 2024 to celebrate this recognition. Saad Al Qaddumi, President of the WCC awarded the certificate to Lt. Governor of J&K Shri Manoj Sinha. He highlighted the importance of this achievement in his address. In his address Saad Al Qaddumi said:
“I am honored and proud to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government officials and the citizens of Srinagar on acquiring the World Crafts Council-WCC designation as a World Craft City. This recognition will enhance cultural exchanges and foster mutual understanding among different communities worldwide”
Credit goes to Craftspersons
WCC President said that Srinagar deserved this title among the most celebrated 65 World Craft Cities across the globe. Saad highlighted the rigorous process involved in achieving this designation. He also underscored the significance of World Craft City-WCC. He also expressed his gratitude to the hosts of the event, WCC team, senior craftsmen, artisans and overall the people of Srinagar and Kashmir for their dedication towards preserving rich crafts and artistic work.
Srinagar being designated as a World Craft City is not only a recognition of our art & rich heritage which our craftspeople have kept alive but it will also ensure future growth to our handicrafts / handloom sector as well.
I appreciate the role played by 20,000 craftsmen and craftswomen of Srinagar who kept the Kashmiri handicraft art alive even after facing huge challenges during the last several decades. Handicraft and handloom work didn’t get enough respect in our society but now this status-quo is being challenged by many. Srinagar’s Farooq Ahmad Mir, a veteran in pashmina and Kani shawl art who was awarded Kabir Puraskar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 has trained his three sons Majid, Altaf and Fayaz in the same art. All the three brothers are national awardees in Pashmina / Kani work and they plan to transfer this legacy to their children as well. The morale of many youth will get boosted with the WCC recognition .
Objective of WCC
The main objective of the World Crafts Council is to strengthen the status of crafts in cultural and economic life. The Council aims to promote fellowship among people associated with craft by offering them encouragement, help, and advice. It fosters and assists cultural exchange through conferences, international visits, research study, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and other activities. The WCC also seeks to foster wider knowledge and recognition of the craftspeople’s work with due regard to the diversified cultural and national backgrounds. In carrying out these principles, the World Craft Council consults with governments, national and international institutions, societies, and dedicated individuals.
Objective of World Craft Cities
After Jaipur, Mysore and Malappuram in Kerala , Srinagar is the 4th city having been recognized as World Craft City. There are around 65 WCC recognized cities across the world. The recognition as World Craft City elevates the city’s status on a global platform, enhancing its reputation for crafts. The recognition will boost the economy of not only Srinagar but J&K as a whole by attracting tourists, investors, and buyers who are fond of handicrafts & handloom products. This will increase the market opportunities for artisans. The global recognition by WCC will also ensure increased support for local artisans and also open doors for their funding, training, and capacity building through international collaborations.
Conclusion
With the Kashmiri Art and Craft getting recognised at international level, I believe there are great opportunities for the educated youth of Kashmir to seek career opportunities in this sector. Pashmina work, Kani shawl making or Carpet weaving was considered to be poor people’s job and school dropouts would opt for these professions until some decades back . With the WCC recognition, this is going to change now. I am sure in the coming 10 years we will find highly educated & skilled people carrying forward Kashmiri art and craft. I would appeal to President WCC Saad Al Qaddumi to set up a centre of excellence in Kashmiri handicrafts in Srinagar in memory of his mother Dr Gadha. I believe this would be the great tribute to her exemplary work
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is Srinagar based activist and writer. He is an Acumen India Fellow & Chairman -Founder J&K RTI Movement.
