Srinagar, Sep 09 (KNO): In the narrow lanes of Kathidarwaza, Perrbagh, lives an 85-year-old artisan who carries the weight of Kashmir’s handicraft legacy on his frail shoulders.
Mir Abdul Majeed, a veteran of Aari staple work, has spent around 70 years perfecting the delicate art that once brought global fame to the valley’s artisans. Today, he speaks not only as a craftsman but as a custodian of a tradition he fears may be lost to machines and modern apathy.
Majeed’s journey began at the age of 12 when handicraft workshops thrived across Kashmir. “That time, workshops were everywhere, and I joined one to learn chain stitch. After mastering it, I shifted to staple work, which later gained immense popularity,” he recalls while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The story of staple work in Kashmir, as Majeed narrates, began almost by accident. A foreign woman, Ms Helen, visited Dalgate and suggested he experiment with staple thread instead of the traditional cotton used in Aari. That single suggestion sparked a new wave in Kashmiri handicrafts. “From that moment, staple work became a sensation. Its demand even surpassed Kaleen and Pashmina for a time,” Majeed says.
Encouraged by its popularity, he opened his own workshop, training dozens of students and experimenting with innovative designs. His works soon travelled far beyond Kashmir, finding buyers across India. “I still remember traveling to Kolkata to collect payments and seeing my pieces being sold at very high prices. That motivated me to continue working from there, and later, I expanded to Mumbai where I also held exhibitions that attracted thousands of customers,” he said.
But Mir’s greatest recognition came at home. In 1983, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Srinagar, he presented her with an embroidered landscape of Hari Parbat. “She offered me a government job, but I declined. I preferred to remain independent and let my art speak for me,” he recalls with quiet pride. Decades later, in 2017, his famous creation Tulip Girl earned him the prestigious State Award and has sent pieces for even national awards as well.
Despite the recognition and lifelong success, the veteran artisan expresses deep concern about the present state of the craft. “ Foreign tourists are fewer now, and machine-made products have ruined the market. Still, this art gave me dignity and helped hundreds of families earn their livelihood,” he said.
For Majeed, the survival of this heritage now depends on the younger generation. “The government is showing some interest in handicrafts, but it is the youth who must embrace it. If they learn, they can create employment for others instead of chasing jobs. Our legacy should not vanish in silence,” he appeals.
As his wrinkled hands continue to guide the needle with unmatched precision, Majeed stands as both a reminder of the valley’s glorious past and a plea for its uncertain future—(KNO)
