Kashmir’s handmade products are showing promising trends in international market. As per the concerned authorities, exports of handmade products from Kashmir have crossed the Rs 300 crore mark in the first quarter of the current financial year, which is the highest for the period in the last four years. As per reports, hand-made products worth Rs 309.62 crore have been exported to various overseas destinations in the first quarter of the current financial year — up from Rs 126.90 crore in the same quarter last year making the exports the highest for Q1 in the last four years, with the authorities eyeing exports of over Rs 1,500 crore during the current financial year.
It may be recalled here that Srinagar was officially recognised as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council in 2024. Srinagar’s crafts continue to flourish and captivate the world with their beauty and craftsmanship and the recognition had come following 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 has led to increased interest from those interested in exploring and purchasing authentic local crafts and thus enhanced marketability of Srinagar’s crafts globally.
Following this recognition, more craftsmen/women have been showing interest towards art and craft, as earlier 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.
Official figures regarding increase in exports of handicrafts are very encouraging and suggest that if all goes well, Kashmir’s handmade products would find their right place in the world market. That said, while celebrating the success, the concerned authorities should also focus on those whose magic hands create these gems, the craftsmen/women. The government should look into the issues that the artisans here are facing and ensure that the increase in exports of these crafts 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.