With eye-catching Sozni embroidery, specially-abled artists win applaud at ‘Craft Bazar’

Srinagar, Oct 16: Amid the artistic splendour of the ongoing ‘Craft Bazaar’ at the University of Kashmir, one stall stood apart, not for its grandeur, but for its story of grit and human spirit. The Sozni embroidery stall run by ‘Special Hands of Kashmir’, led by Tariq Ahmed Mir from Budgam, became the soul of the exhibition, which draw admiration and emotion in equal measure.

Unlike other stalls, the artisans here said that they carry not only the legacy of Kashmir’s embroidery but also the quiet courage of living with disability. Nearly 100 specially-abled artisans are directly associated with Tariq’s initiative, while over 300 more indirectly earn their livelihood through his unit. While talking to Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of the event, Tariq Mir said that despite their physical limitations, ranging from 50 per cent to 90 per cent disabilities, these artisans produce exquisite Sozni embroidery, while blending artistry with perseverance.

Tariq himself, who suffers from 90 per cent muscular dystrophy affecting both his arms and legs, founded Special Hands of Kashmir after years of personal struggle. A NET-qualified postgraduate with a degree in Education, Tariq once aspired to teach. But when he applied for a government job years ago, he was rejected on grounds of his disability.

“That rejection broke me, but it didn’t end me. It taught me that sympathy from society isn’t enough, what we need is opportunity, empathy, and inclusion,” Tariq recalled.

Drawing inspiration from his father, an artisan, Tariq decided to create a space where differently-abled individuals could find dignity through craft. He said that with the help of NGOs and social media outreach, he mobilized dozens of skilled but sidelined artisans. He said many of them are highly educated, who are using many means to revive the Sozni tradition.

Tariq said that over the years, his work has earned him wide recognition. He said that he has received several prestigious honours including the State Award (2019), Fair Trade Award (2020), Young Kashmir Leadership Award (2021), Helen Keller Award (2021), and the Digital Artisans of India Award. He said that it was his humility and the quiet pride of his team that made his stall one of the most inspiring corners of the event. Among his team members was Nasrul Gaffar Sheikh, a postgraduate in History and diploma holder in embroidery craft, who has been practising Sozni for over two decades.