Srinagar: Riding high on the resounding success of the first three ‘Know Your Artisan’ (KYA) events in October, which captivated crowds at iconic venues like Polo View Market, Jhelum Riverfront, and Ghanta Ghar with live demonstrations and direct artisan engagements; the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir (DOHHK) today unveiled the ‘Know Your Artisan’ Craft Carnival.
The 3-day extravaganza commenced at the picturesque Sher-e-Kashmir Park on Residency Road, under the aggressive branding campaign ‘Soulful Kashmir’.
The event was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, who lauded the department’s endeavors in spotlighting the Valley’s timeless crafts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Div Com highlighted the transformative potential of such exhibitions. He commended the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir for organizing this carnival.
He said Initiatives like ‘Know Your Artisan’ are essential to bring our master artisans to the forefront, providing them a deserving platform to showcase Kashmir’s rich craft and heritage to both locals and global audiences. “These programs not only revive our traditions but also empower our artisans economically, ensuring their skills endure for generations”, he added.
He stated that exports of Handicrafts & Handlooms have doubled over the last four years, which has increased the income of artisans.
This carnival arrives in the triumphant aftermath of Srinagar’s dual global accolades, including its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2021 and as the 63rd World Craft City under the World Crafts Council (WCC) network in 2024.
These honours underscore the city’s unparalleled heritage in handicrafts from intricate Pashmina weaving and hand-knotted carpets to papier-mache and walnut wood carvings, positioning Srinagar as a beacon for cultural preservation and innovation on the world stage.
The event witnessed a huge gathering of top-level officers, alongside key Department officials, all witnessing the unveiling of 36 meticulously curated stalls. These feature an exhaustive array of GI-registered crafts, such as authentic Pashmina, Kani shawls, and Kashmiri carpets, alongside products notified under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and the District Export Hub (DEH) initiative.
Complementing the displays are immersive live demonstration sections, where artisans unveil the labour-intensive secrets of their trades, and interactive ‘Try Your Hand’ zones inviting the public to engage hands-on with techniques like chain-stitch embroidery, Pashmina weaving and walnut wood carving.
Enthusiastic visitors, locals, tourists, families, and craft enthusiasts flocked to the venue, infusing the autumnal canopy of Chinar trees with palpable energy.
The carnival aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visionary initiatives of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, fostering self-reliance by promoting indigenous crafts as engines of economic growth, sustainable tourism, and global exports.
By bridging artisans directly with consumers through fair-priced stalls, it champions ‘Vocal for Local,’ creating viable market linkages and countering counterfeit threats while celebrating the human stories behind each creation.
Mussarat Islam, Director of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, on the occasion said, “This carnival is a pivotal chapter in our aggressive push to revive and commercialise Kashmir’s handicrafts, empowering over 3.80 lakh artisans through GI enforcement, skill training, and branding workshops. In the wake of Srinagar’s UNESCO and WCC recognitions, we are not just showcasing crafts but weaving a narrative of harmony, innovation, and cultural co-existence that resonates with the ‘Vocal for Local’ spirit.”
The Department urged the public to visit the venue over the next two days, immerse in the artistry, and make purchases that directly uplift our artisans.
As the event unfolds, it promises a soul-stirring display of diverse crafts, traditional Kashmiri folk music, storytelling sessions sharing generational lore, and workshops blending heritage with contemporary design.
