Kashmiri papier mache artisans are upbeat as Christmas bells ring
Famous papier mache artisans of Kashmir can be seen adding the golden touch to artefacts in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar with the hope that Holiday fervor may spur up the artisanal gift exports.
As per handicrafts and handloom department officials of Jammu and Kashmir, the bulk orders are good omens and export value of the papier mache items might scale up and provide a much-needed boost to the craft.
Of many colorful products, Christmas balls and stars have high demand exported to European countries.The artisans are making several products such as stars, moon, eggs, balls and elephants, which are used for decoration as well as gifts.
According to Mohammad Maqbool, a skilled artisan and resident of the city, “We have received bulk orders this year, especially for the European markets, and it is a good sign,” Maqbool told PTI.
The sector, like most others, has also dealt with the blow of pandemic and the orders had largely stopped coming for the last couple of years. However, this year’s bulk orders are set to give a new lease of life to the craft and have brought cheer among the artisans.
Papier mache is one of the world famous crafts practised in Kashmir and has its origin in the 15th century Persia and central Asia when king Zain-ul-Abidin submonned artists and craftsmen from there. It’s a unique combination of line and colour on moulded forms of a variety of objects. It involves ornamentation in colour over smoothened surfaces built of paper pulp or layers of paper.
“The Christmas balls segment is so enormous that at times, we are not able to meet the demand because the process of making these items by hand is time consuming. There have been efforts to semi-mechanise it, but not much success has been achieved,” Director, Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mehmood Shah, told PTI.
Shah said papier mache involves two sets of artisans — the sakhta makers and the painters — and both have to complement and supplement each other. “Only then will the final product hit the market,” he added.
Shah said the exports, primarily to Europe, are usually worth about Rs 13-15 crore. However, due to Covid, several orders were cancelled in the last couple of years.
“The demand is there, but the production is low. We have orders for about 10 lakh balls. We need to increase our production. We do not have many artisans to cope up with the bulk orders we get, especially at the time of Christmas. We have papier mache being done on walls, as a fusion with Khatamband (traditional wooden ceilings), there is a need to tap new markets through e-platforms so that more livelihood opportunities are generated,” Maqbool explained.
