While addressing the 60th anniversary celebration of the World Crafts Council (WCC) at Srinagar, Sa’ad Hani Al-Qaddumi, President World Crafts Council International, said the World Crafts Council is embarking on a journey to position Srinagar as a global hub for crafts through several upcoming initiatives. The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha attended the function and visited the Craft Exhibition and inspected the stalls put up by the local, national and international artisans. He also felicitated the Artisans who have excelled in their respective areas of crafts.
The very fact that the jubilee celebrations were held in Srinagar is seen by the artisans as a good omen for coming days. It may be recalled here that Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, has been officially recognised as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council. It is a great news not for Srinagar only but for the entire region and Jammu and Kashmir. It is a well-deserved recognition that will undoubtedly elevate Srinagar’s global standing. This recognition will not only boost the economy but will help preserve its cultural heritage and also foster international cultural exchange, making it a more vibrant and economically sustainable city. Srinagar’s crafts continue to flourish and captivate the world with their beauty and craftsmanship and the recognition follows Srinagar’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts in 2021.
The recognition highlights Srinagar’s rich cultural heritage, particularly its traditional crafts like Kashmiri carpets, Pashmina shawls, paper-mache and wood carving. This international recognition can lead to increased tourism interest from those interested in exploring and purchasing authentic local crafts and thus stimulate the local economy by enhancing the marketability of Srinagar’s crafts globally. As more people would be inclined towards art and craft, it has potential to create more job opportunities. The craftsmen here were worried that with the passage of time and lack of interest by new generation, these crafts may die. But this recognition has changed the scenario. With increased attention and demand, there could be a renewed focus on preserving and promoting traditional craftsmanship techniques. This preservation is crucial for maintaining cultural identity and passing down skills to future generations.
By this recognition, Srinagar has become a part of World Craft City network and thus there is a great potential for collaboration with other craft cities, nation as well was world over, and this collaboration with help in exchange of ideas and practices that can further elevate Srinagar’s craft traditions and today’s jubilee function would be a stepping stone in this direction. However, the UT government should look into the issues that the artisans here are facing and ensure that the recognition helps to improve their financial status too. It is their talent and their dedication that despite all odds and hardships, they kept Kashmir’s art and craft alive and finally made world to recognise their magic. But fact of the matter is that artisans here face severe financial crisis. They are being exploited and paid peanuts. Actually, it is their magic that has resulted into Srinagar’s recognition as craft city but they are ones who get least benefited. Therefore the government and the concerned departments should made policies and schemes which can better the financial status of artisan community as a whole.