HammadWrites

 SHAPING IT STROKE BY STROKE : PAPIER MACHE OF KASHMIR  DAR JAVED  Walking in the maze of narrow lanes and by-lanes of old city srinagar called SHEH-RI-KHASS in kashmir , packed by houses of primitive kashmir wooden and brick architecture often shout for care and attention in silence. It is in these lanes that papier Mache artisans Live, work and transforms waste paper /Scrap into master pieces of brilliance. Mohammad Maqbool , 47 , with a beautiful smile on his face in his match sized room (workshop) greets whoever enters in his workshop.  The Room is filled with the smell of paint as Maqbool stokes his brush with precision skill and confidence on the Tray, transforming it from a plain raw structure Paper pulp locally called ‘SAKHTA’, to a magnificent piece of art that reflects KASHMIRIYAT. His hand is moving with the inspiration of something that has passed down through ages. The way he is defining symmetry in it as an artist leaves one in awe. H...

 SHOULD WE JUST WAVE  “GOOD BYE” TO TRADITIONAL CRAFTS OR SHOULD WE FIGHT TO SAVE THEM. “ People have been talking about the meaning of art, craft and design since centuries. It is a less prominent part of the conversation now. Survival is perhaps the key driver.” Dar Javed  There was a time when the realm of the traditional handicrafts  business of kashmir was thriving at a blazers Speed . kashmir brings to mind the richness of beauty in not just enchanting nature , mountains, water and lakes but the colour and fineness of its crafts . However, a certain shift in the conditions for these art and craft forms has reduced the overall process and has taken life out of what used to be identified as the selfhood of Kashmir and Kashmiris. Due to these shifts kashmir has been arrested in a steep decline of its legacy. Namda, Pinjrakari, wagu , Tapestry, silverware have been identified as LIST OF IDENTIFIED ENDANGERED CRAFTS from kashmir . Unfortunately Kashmir crafts is clo...

  THE INTEGRATION OF CRAFT-CENTRIC EDUCATION :    PRESERVING HERITAGE  ART IS LOOSING ITS GRIP AND WHAT CAN THE NEXT GENERATION EXPECT FROM A PROFESSION THAT FAVOURS PATIENCE,REQUIRES SKILL , ATTENTION TO DETAILS AND PRECISION OVER TURNING A FAST PROFIT?  Dar Javed  Kashmir is heaven for the finest arts and crafts that have been carefully nurtured for the centuries. It (kashmir) isn’t only a mere abode to breath-taking sceneries and picturesque landscapes, but has also been home to art forms with intricate and interesting details that has seen its admirers all over the globe. However, a certain shift in the conditions for these art and craft forms has reduced the overall process and has taken life out of what used to be identified as the selfhood of Kashmir and Kashmiris. Due to these shifts kashmir has been arrested in a steep decline of its legacy. Namda, Pinjrakari , wagu , Tapestry , silverware have been identified as LIST OF IDENTIFIED ENDANGERED CRAFT...

CATCH THE CRAFT   Kashmir is only region in India bestowed with the presence of Majestic walnut trees.The walnut from Kashmir are rich and famous worldwide for their taste.Another dimension of walnut tree is beautiful carving it hosts. Locally known as ‘doon’ tree. Wood is hard and durable .it is close grained and even textured which facilitates fine and detailed carving work.walnut wood has an inherent sheen which comes on its own when polished with wax or spirit.   A walnut wood carving of Kashmir employes a process of hand carving done very carefully and delicately ,in various styles by means of varied tools ,fabricated locally depicting Forms and Motifs ,that have evolved over a period of centuries. The Carving employs a host of motifs that depict the varied Flora and Fauna of the region in a highly styled manner.   wood logs to be used for carving are cut into planks of desired thickness with the help of machine ,locally known as “...

CRAFT TRADITION  KASHMIR : Beyond Scenic Beauty  DAR JAVED  darjaveed305@gmail.com The Snow Clad mountains , the enchanting angelic natural beauty of the valley is what rightly makes kashmir as “The paradise of Earth” but kashmir is not only about the scenic  beauty . It is beyond that and yes , you guess it right , Every Tradition here in kashmir is a beauty in itself and it steals the show . Amidst all one such beauty is the kashmir handicrafts . Kashmir is the heaven for the finest arts and crafts that have been carefully nurtured for the centuries . A variety of motifs/designs  techniques anid craft processes  flourished in the land as the people from different regions and many skilled craftsmen decided to settle amidst its beautiful and charming abundance of natural beauty. With time, these arts have gained even more distinctiveness and today Kashmir is globally known for woolen textiles,Namda (Felting ) Aari ,Sozni, Tilla embroidered suits, Kashmir si...

CREWEL EMBROIDERY OF KASHMIR Dar Javed In words of Kamla Devi Chattopadhay (Social Reformer) “It (Kashmir Embroidery) is essentially a child of landscape and bountiful nature and is, therefore, as varied in its richness, as superb in its beauty… the embroiders of this region seem so overwhelmed by natures riotous beauty that they are caught up in alluring embrace. The floral motifs with their inexhaustible display of colors, variegated birds, luscious fruits, majestic mountains, and shimmering lakes- all find a place in Kashmir Embroidery “There are many kinds of embroidery in Kashmir. Crewel Embroidery is the most common form of embroidery in Kashmir. It is remarkable even today because of the beauty of its HOW CREWEL EMBROIDERY CAME TO INDIA (ORIGIN)  Crewel work has a rich history, stretching at least as far back as early medieval times, influenced by exotic flora and fauna, this form enjoyed popularity in the Jacobean area, in Europe and America during 17th ...

Jamia Masjid (Urdu: جامع مسجد سرینگر‬) :GRAND MOSQUE OF KASHMIR   One of the Prime Tourist place To visit in Srinagar . JAMIA MASJID Srinagar is one of the oldest and most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir valley. The beautiful grand mosque which is also known as Shah-e-Hamdan mosque is situated in the heart of Srinagar city --Nowhatta downtown area, on the banks of river Jehlum.The foundation of this architectural wonder  was laid by Sultan Sikander in 1389 AD and the construction of this wonderful and most attractive mosque was completed in 1402 AD The wonderful aspects and the  attractions of the Jamia Masjid or  Jama Masjid (Locally Known)  of Srinagar Kashmir, include beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture, a beautiful  courtyard and 370 wooden pillars. The peace and tranquil ambience inside the mosque is another unique feature of this attractive artitecture ,the biggest mosque . standing out against the hustle of the old bazaars arou...