SRINAGAR: In a landmark initiative to celebrate and safeguard Kashmir’s rich craft heritage, the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, launched an elegant hard-cover Table Book dedicated to Geographical Indication (GI)-registered crafts and the master artisans who keep them alive.
In a press statement issued here today, a spokesman of the department, emphasized that securing GI status is critical to protecting authenticity, cultural value and economic potential of Kashmir’s iconic crafts. “The Craft Table Book beautifully weaves together the stories of these GI-registered treasures and the golden hands of the maestros behind them, serving both as a visual delight and an authoritative reference,” he stated.
The initiative forms an integral part of Craft Safari – Kashmir’s flagship programme under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in which Srinagar has been designated a Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art in 2021 and extends the highly appreciated ‘Know Your Artisan’ series launched under the broader Soulful Kashmır brand promotion campaign.
Kashmir presently has 15 GI-registered crafts, like hand-knotted carpet, Sozni and Kani Shawl, Papier Mache, Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband, Wagguv, Gabba & Numda and is presently preparing dossiers for 6 more crafts, like copper and silverware, which shall be presented in the GI Registry, Chennai, soon.
Designed with aesthetic sophistication by the Department’s Resource Cell team and printed in premium hard-cover format, the Table Book is poised to become a collector’s item and an ambassador of Kashmir’s craft legacy. “In the coming weeks, complimentary copies will be distributed to all major Government departments, universities, colleges, schools, leading business associations, hoteliers, restaurants, and key stakeholders across J&K and beyond,” he said, adding that a link for downloading a soft copy is also available at https://dohh.jk.gov.in/pdf/CraftTablebook.pdf
The spokesman hoped that the publication would spark a deeper appreciation of the untapped potential of Kashmiri handicrafts in global niche markets and reinforce collective commitment toward preserving these irreplaceable living traditions for future generations.
The Directorate extended its deep gratitude to the Jammu & Kashmir Government and all partners who have supported this endeavour to place Kashmir’s crafts and craftsmen on the pedestal they truly deserve.