Budgam, Oct 31 (KNO): With winter approaching, Kangri makers in Charar-i-Sharief area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district are busy crafting traditional firepots, even as they face declining demand amid the growing use of modern heating appliances.
Charar-i-Sharief is home to artisans who produce a wide range of Kangris, including traditional varieties used for warmth, special bridal Kangris, decorative showpieces and smaller designs.
The Kangri, an earthen pot encased in finely woven willow wicker, has remained an integral part of Kashmiri life during winter, traditionally carried beneath the pheran to provide warmth during the harsh cold months.
Bashir Ahmad Dar, an award-winning willow-wicker artisan who received the UT Award 2022, Second Prize, in Willow Wicker craft, said the use of Kangris has declined considerably over the years.
“Earlier, almost everyone used Kangris, but today people use them less because electric heating appliances have become common. We are trying to make different varieties, including bridal Kangris and decorative pieces, to keep this traditional craft alive,” Dar told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Dar, who has been associated with the craft for around four to five decades, said his workshop employs around five to eight workers and produces approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Kangris. He added that sales are largely concentrated during the winter months, particularly November, December, January and February.
Highlighting the distinctive identity of Kangris made in Charar-i-Sharief, Dar said the area is particularly known for its special bridal Kangri, locally referred to as “Mahreen Kangri”, besides several other varieties.
Another local artisan, Shabir Ahmad, who has been making Kangris for around 40 years, said artisans in the area produce different varieties of Kangris and other willow-wicker items, including large decorative pieces, flowerpots, small Kangris and traditional designs.
He said the time required to make a Kangri depends on its design and size, with a standard piece taking around two to three hours to complete. The craft involves weaving willow strips around an earthen pot, using materials gathered from the surrounding area.
Ahmad expressed concern over the slowdown in business, saying Kangris were sold in greater numbers in the past when their use was more widespread across Kashmir.
Artisans said the growing popularity of electric heating appliances and changing consumer preferences have affected demand, prompting makers to explore decorative and bridal varieties to sustain their livelihoods.
They also expressed concern over the declining interest among younger generations in learning the traditional craft, urging the government to extend greater support through welfare measures, financial assistance and initiatives to encourage young people to take up traditional handicrafts.
Despite these challenges, Kangri makers in Charar-i-Sharief continue to preserve the craft, which remains closely associated with Kashmir’s cultural heritage and winter lifestyle—(KNO)