KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Dec 9: In a remarkable acknowledgment of Jammu & Kashmir’s centuries-old craft legacy, four artisans from the region were honoured with prestigious national-level awards at the Shilp Guru Awards and National Awards for Handicrafts ceremony organised by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The ceremony, held with great ceremonial stature at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was graced by the Hon’ble President of India, along with top officials from the Ministry of Textiles and the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Two Prestigious National Awards for Kashmir Valley
Among the recipients, two artisans from Kashmir received the coveted National Award which recognises mastery, exceptional skill, and sustained contribution to traditional craft practices.
Shri Khwaja Nazir Ali was honoured with the National Award in Artistic Textiles (Sozni Shawl) for his exemplary work in Sozni embroidery, one of Kashmir’s most sophisticated needle traditions known for its exceptionally fine craftsmanship.
Meanwhile, Shri Manzoor Ahmad Khan received the National Award in Handmade Carpet, a segment long associated with Kashmir’s distinguished carpet-weaving heritage.
Both artisans were celebrated for preserving intricate techniques that have been transmitted through generations and for enhancing the profile of Kashmiri crafts across global markets.
Two Artisans Receive Certificate of Excellence
Further strengthening Jammu & Kashmir’s representation at the national stage, two additional artisans were conferred with the Certificate of Excellence, which acknowledges emerging mastery and high-standard craftsmanship.
Smt. Mashkoora Hameed was presented the Certificate of Excellence in Sozni Shawl, while Shri Mir Arshad bagged the same honour in Paper Mache, a craft deeply rooted in Kashmiri artistic culture and globally admired for its blend of calligraphy, floral art and ornamental design.
Strong Participation from Jammu & Kashmir
Providing detailed insights, Shri Raja Rahail Rashid, Assistant Director, Handicrafts Service Centre (HSC) Srinagar, informed that a total of 49 artisans from several districts across the Valley—including Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama and Ganderbal—submitted entries for the competition under various craft categories this year.
Out of these, only four artisans secured national recognition, underlining the growing competition and demanding technical standards required for selection at national platforms.
High-profile Participation at the Ceremony
The event witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries, including Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita, Secretary Textiles Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, and Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Smt. Amrit Raj, besides leading artisans, exporters, designers, senior bureaucrats, and industry stakeholders from across the country.
Reinforcing Kashmir’s Cultural Legacy
These honours not only reiterate the exceptional skill of Kashmiri artisans but also highlight the sustained role they play in protecting, nurturing, and transmitting traditional craft forms amid rapidly changing market dynamics. The awards further emphasise the importance of institutional support and national-level initiatives in providing visibility, financial security, and career upliftment to artisans.
With Kashmiri handicrafts continuing to enjoy international admiration—from Pashmina shawls and Sozni embroidery to carpets and papier-mâché—the recognition is expected to inspire a new generation of artisans while strengthening Jammu & Kashmir’s reputation as a global cradle of artistic excellence.
