Srinagar, Sept 11 (JKNS): The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, organised the September edition of its acclaimed ‘Know Your Artisan’ initiative on the sidelines of the first-ever International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir (IFFJK) at SK Park, Srinagar, creating a vibrant platform for artisans to showcase Kashmir’s rich craft heritage before tourists, students, art enthusiasts and the general public.
The event, themed around the promotion of Kashmir’s high-value GI-tagged and languishing crafts, witnessed an encouraging response, with visitors exploring a diverse range of authentic handmade products while getting an opportunity to interact directly with master artisans and understand the skill, patience and traditional knowledge behind each creation.
As many as 26 stalls were installed at the venue, showcasing an impressive variety of handcrafted products and providing artisans with a valuable opportunity for direct marketing and interaction with potential buyers, tourists, students and craft enthusiasts.
The initiative added a distinctive cultural dimension to the film festival, bringing together cinema, craftsmanship, music and Kashmir’s traditional heritage at one location.
The School of Designs, Kashmir, facilitated live craft demonstrations, allowing visitors to witness artisans and craftsmen at work and gain a closer understanding of the intricate processes involved in creating traditional Kashmiri products.
A dedicated ‘Try Corner’ further enhanced the visitor experience by giving participants an opportunity to try their hand at pottery, papier-mâché and needlework. The hands-on activity attracted particular interest among students and young visitors, who enthusiastically participated and experienced the precision and creativity required in traditional crafts.
Live music, organised in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, added to the atmosphere, creating a soulful heritage ambience at SK Park and complementing the display of Kashmir’s traditional craftsmanship.
Students from various schools and colleges participated enthusiastically in the event. They interacted with artisans, watched live demonstrations and explored the displayed products, gaining first-hand exposure to Kashmir’s centuries-old craft traditions and the importance of preserving these skills for future generations.
A spokesperson of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the connection between artisans and consumers while creating greater awareness about the heritage value, authenticity and craftsmanship associated with Kashmir’s traditional crafts.
“‘Know Your Artisan’ is aimed at creating awareness about the heritage value, authenticity and craftsmanship of Kashmir’s traditional crafts while strengthening the artisan-consumer connect,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the encouraging response to the initiative had further strengthened the Department’s resolve to take such programmes to prominent tourist destinations and other high-footfall locations across Kashmir.
He said greater visibility at such locations would provide artisans with enhanced opportunities to showcase their talent, build direct relationships with consumers, expand their markets and secure better recognition for their traditional skills.
The initiative also highlighted the growing importance of providing local artisans with direct access to tourists and buyers, enabling visitors to appreciate the authenticity of handmade Kashmiri products and understand the cultural stories and traditional techniques associated with them.
The Department urged tourists, buyers and craft enthusiasts to support Kashmir’s artisans by purchasing authentic handmade products and becoming part of the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative.
It said conscious support for local artisans can play an important role in preserving, promoting and reviving Kashmir’s rich craft heritage while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the skilled craftsmen and women who continue to keep these traditional art forms alive.
The successful showcase at SK Park also underlined the potential of major cultural and tourism events to provide artisans with wider platforms and connect Kashmir’s traditional craftsmanship with a new generation of visitors, buyers and admirers. (JKNS)
