Srinagar, Oct 02 (KNO): In the narrow lanes of Amdakadal, Mohalla Gotpora in Srinagar lives 50-year-old Shabir Ahmed Beigh, a master artisan who has spent more than four decades preserving a rare form of Kashmiri craft — weaving hanging carpets with portraits of personalities.
Unlike traditional carpets meant for the floor, Beigh’s creations are designed for walls, celebrated for their artistry and detail.
Beigh vividly remembers how his fascination with the craft began. “I learned this art from a neighbour during my childhood. It took me almost eight years to master it fully. In the early days, I worked for as little as 50 paise a day,” he told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) with a smile.
Over the years, Beigh’s work has won admiration both locally and internationally. His carpet pieces, some portraying iconic figures, have found homes across the world. “Wherever they go, people admire them. Those I worked with never wanted me to leave because of the precision of my work. This art is sacred to me, which is why I never allow anyone to interfere with my pieces,” he said.
However, Beigh laments the waning interest in this painstaking craft among the younger generation. “Hardly any youth are willing to learn this work now. Even those who once showed interest have abandoned it midway,” he said.
While the government has introduced certain initiatives for reviving traditional Kashmiri handicrafts, Beigh believes much more needs to be done to safeguard niche forms of art like his.
“The main reason behind the decline is the lack of sustainable income. Without financial support, incentives, and proper promotion, this art could vanish with my generation,” he warned.
Kashmir is renowned worldwide for its exquisite carpets and handicrafts, yet artisans like Beigh remind us that behind every thread lies not just wool or silk, but also identities and cultural memory.
His journey stands as a stark reminder of what could be lost if younger generations do not carry the legacy forward—(KNO)