—Excelsior/Shakeel
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Jan 28: Farooq Ahmad Mir, a 73-year-old master shawl weaver from Srinagar, attributes his Padma Shri award to over sixty years of unwavering dedication and commitment to his craft.
On January 25, he was among 139 esteemed recipients of the Padma Shri award, recognized for his extraordinary talent in creating intricate Kani shawls. His craftsmanship not only safeguards this age-old art but also guarantees its ongoing transmission to future artisans.
Speaking from his residence in Natipora on the outskirts of Srinagar, Mir expressed his happiness regarding the prestigious accolade. “I never imagined receiving such recognition. My hard work over the past three decades is now rewarded, and it brings me immense happiness,” he remarked.
Mir recalled the moment he was informed about the award: his family received a call at approximately 2 a.m. to deliver the news, with the official announcement coming later that evening at 9 p.m. “My grandchildren were ecstatic and laughing. When I inquired about their excitement, they revealed the news to me,” he shared.
His artistry drew attention when he aimed to register as an artisan with the Handicrafts and Handloom Department in Kashmir. “The then Director, Mehmood Shah, was so impressed by my work that he insisted on visiting my home personally to see my entire collection before issuing a registration card,” Mir recounted.
Shah regarded Mir as a “hidden gem” and began to advocate for his craft, leading to a series of accolades including the National Award, State Award, and the notable Sant Kabir Award, culminating in the Padma Shri.
A craftsman of generations, Mir learned this art from his father and believes mastering it requires years of patience and commitment. “Once you fully engage with the craft, it becomes a passion. It brings deep satisfaction, though it demands both patience and honesty,” he explained.
Mir encouraged today’s youth to embrace traditional Kashmiri arts rather than resorting to low-paying jobs. “The younger generation often overlooks crafts in favor of other occupations, yet they could easily earn between Rs 10,000-15,000 per month through this craft,” he stated. He also emphasized that with adequate government support, traditional crafting could reclaim its global prestige.
Masrat-ul-Islam, Director of Handicrafts and Handlooms, Kashmir, described Mir’s honor as a significant achievement for the department. “This award symbolizes sixty years of dedication. Crafting a Kani shawl is no small feat; it can sometimes take up to two years for a single shawl,” he stated. He also underscored the necessity of leveraging the skills of artisans like Mir to preserve and pass on this craft to future generations.
Islam further underscored the government’s initiatives, including the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre located in Nowshera, which offers cutting-edge facilities. “We encourage consumers to purchase only GI-tagged products to support authentic artisans,” he added.
