Trying to carry on legacy of papier-mâché in Kashmir

Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, August 17

In 1973 when Afzal Abdullah finished his college he was given a responsibility by his father to carry on the legacy of handling their handicrafts shop in Srinagar which used to deal with papier-mâché products.

Today, 32 years later, Abdullah is trying hard to save the dying legacy.

Situated along the banks of the Jehlum river overlooking the mighty chinars, Asia Crafts is one of the oldest papier-mâché shops in Srinagar. The shop was established in 1945 by the grandfather of Afzal Abdullah. Today it is one of the rare shops in Kashmir that sells the handmade papier-mâché products.

“During my grandfather’s time this was a respected art and we had special clients from abroad. This art was loved by Britishers, but now it is dying slowly,” says Afzal Abdullah, owner of the shop. “Due to the counterfeit products in the market and unskilled people engaging in the art, it has lost its significance among buyers,” he added.

Papier-mâché is a unique Kashmiri craft that involves the use of paper pulp to create beautiful artefacts. From intricately drawn kingfishers to maple leaves and other motifs, the designs of ‘Arabesque’, ‘Yarkand’ and ‘Hazara’ still elicit amazement from buyers locally and outside.

These products are made by artisans who have been in the work for decades.

“We have just 40 artisans left now who know the real art. The new generation is not interested. They don’t want to learn it because it needs a lot of patience. Earlier, we had about 100 families engaged with us but day by day the number is reducing. It has no future now. I have an attachment to this art that’s why I am trying to save it till I am alive. I don’t know what will happen to it afterwards,” says Afzal.

Papier-mâché is considered as a gift of Persia in Kashmir, which is a depiction of Iranian culture. “Seven centuries ago, Kashmir saw the arrival of Persian artists who brought with them the eclectic Iranian culture. These artists who knew the craft of papier-mâché, woodcarving, copper engraving and carpet weaving settled here along with their families,” says Afzal. “My ancestors were from Persia who introduced this art in Kashmir,” he added.

The man who is known for his contribution to the development of papier-mâché in Kashmir is Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, popularly known as Shah-i-Hamdan, who was a famous Persian mystic said to have been responsible for the widespread conversion of people in Kashmir to Islam.

Though the art was going well till peaceful times, the families of the artists were greatly affected due to the political trouble in 1990s.

“The political situation greatly affected this art. We started our factory in 1966 where everything was done under one roof. It was closed down in 1990s due to political uncertainty. We had around 40 carpet weaving looms in Srinagar. They were also closed and just 11 were left. This also led to disinterest among artisans,” he said.

The two-storey wooden shop displays beautiful designs of papier-mâché and walnut-carved products are showcased on the shelves. The beautiful designs give an insight into the history and the cultural legacy of the Valley.

“These rare designs are made by real skilled artists who have been with us for around eight to 10 generations. They trust us and we trust their work. We are also trying to add some innovations to the art by introducing new designs apart from traditional ones,” says Afzal while sitting in his small office, the walls of which are decorated with hand-knotted rugs.

The 2014 September floods added to the worry of these people. “Though the upper floors were saved but we lost some rare artefacts that were stored on the ground floor. Some of them were as old as 50 years. It is impossible for us to get them back,” adds Afzal.

The embankments of Jhelum in Lal Chowk that broke due to the floods used to be the exclusive shopping area among British tourists. The Bund walkway which was constructed during the Dogra regime until a few decades ago was a favourite hangout for nature lovers, says Afzal. However, random concrete constructions at the place have vandalised this stretch.

“The bund was an exclusive shopping area for Britishers. It was naturally beautiful and well maintained, but concrete constructions have ruined everything,” says Afzal.

Along with the bund, it seems the real Kashmiri papier-mâché art will just be a memory two decades from now.