Kashmir’s Namda rugs are back in business after Centre’s artisan training project
With first batch of an export consignment worth $1.5 lakh received from the UK, Japan, Holland and Germany, Kashmir’s centuries-old “namda” (woolen felt rug) craft is back from the brink of oblivion after Centre’s special pilot project to save the art dating back to the 11th century.
Fostering the revival of the amazing craft, more than 2,200 artisans from the Valley, mainly women have dispatched the first batch of an export consignment worth $1.5 lakh received from the UK, Japan, Holland and Germany.This is the first export for J&K-made namdas in over 25 years.
Namda is a handmade rug crafted by felting of wool rather than weaving it. This centuries-old craft requires special skill. In the 1970s, namdas used to account for annual exports worth Rs 300 crore. But gradually exports dwindled due to scarcity of raw material and skilled manpower.
So far there are 2,212 certified namda craft makers across six clusters — Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam and Anantnag.
Razia Sultana, 27, also from Srinagar, has already started a small factory from her home. After completing the course, she trained 30 girls in namda art.
Another weaver Shahida now employs 15 people at her cottage industry in Srinagar as namdas boost local job potential.
Shabroza, 21, from Srinagar, says namdas have become her tickets to the world outside Kashmir.
“In the 1970s, Kashmiri namdas used to account for annual exports worth Rs 300 to 400 crore. But gradually due to scarcity of raw materials, skilled manpower and marketing techniques, exports declined by almost 100 per cent starting 1998.
Artisans trained under the central project are executing it,” Arshad Mir, Chairman, J&K Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council under the Centre, explains, adding that Nepal gained at the cost of J&K namda art and has been exporting namda-type rugs worth nearly 650 million USD annually.
These trained artisans are inspirews to further train more unemployed women across Kashmir to power the mission to revive Kashmir’s most striking tradition – a handmade rug crafted by felting the wool rather than weaving it.
