Srinagar, Jun 11 (KNO): A 26-year old woman from north Kashmir's Bandipora district is breathing a new lease of life into traditional crafts.
Shahida Khanum, a resident of Aragam Bandipora brought a cultural revolution as she has made it her life's mission to resurrect and preserve the fading tribal art forms of the region.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Shahida said in 2022 she started a mission of reviving traditional art and turned her paternal home into a centre to revive the rich heritage. “Our tribal identity is our pride. These crafts and oral traditions are not just art — they are our history, our resistance and our way of life,” she said.
Khanum said that she later registered a society under name Kashmir Tribal Art following which she started centres at many locations across the district to train women and help them in earning livelihood and keep traditions alive.
“Society is not just reviving lost art—it is empowering dozens of women and youth from marginalized tribal communities by offering them training, livelihood, and cultural pride. Workshops are held regularly in Aragam and nearby areas, where senior artisans teach young enthusiasts the age-old techniques of their ancestors. Earlier, our youth were leaving for cities in search of jobs. Now they’re returning to learn and earn through our own heritage,” Khanum said.
Despite limited resources and negligible government support, Khanum’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The society has exhibited its work at local festivals, academic conferences, and tribal conclaves where they earned praise for preserving endangered art forms.
More than just an artistic endeavor, Khanum sees her mission as a cultural resistance. “For too long, tribal communities have been viewed through the lens of poverty or backwardness. Through this platform, we are telling the world that our traditions are full of richness, grace, and strength.”
She added, “When a young tribal girl in Aragam sees her work being appreciated in Delhi or Mumbai, it’s not just her craft being valued—it’s her identity.” She said that over 200 women have been trained so far and the process is going on and we have been getting demands from other districts as well to start such centers.
While the Kashmir Tribal Art Society continues to move forward with passion and persistence, Khanum appeals for more institutional support. “With proper funding and recognition, we can preserve hundreds of years of wisdom. This is not just our fight—it’s everyone’s responsibility to save what is precious and fading.”—(KNO)