The Jammu and Kashmir government organised an exhibition in Sheri Kashmir international conference centre (SKICC) Srinagar to uplift the artisan community and promote handicraft. It was organised by the department of handicrafts and handlooms, where artisans from around Jammu and Kashmir installed their stalls to showcase the unique and distinct art and craft of the valley. The Director of Handicrafts in Kashmir, Tariq Ahmad, said, “This mega art exhibition was organised by the department of handicrafts and handlooms to showcase handicraft art as well as to provide a platform for sellers and buyers.”
He further said that an e-commerce platform is being developed at this moment to connect the buyers directly with the local artisans. The Arts Emporium of Kashmir is creating a platform for online exchange and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with Flipkart to help the local artisans sell their products. Such exhibitions are important for the artisan community as they not only showcase the rich art of Kashmir but also give the artisans the opportunity to earn their bread and butter. The artists have to pay the price of the turmoil that exists in the valley. They are forced to face an economical crunch since their business is mostly reliant on tourists.
“Such exhibitions should also be hosted at block levels to further improve the conditions of the local vendors,” said Irshad Ahmed, a staller at the exhibition selling Kashmir willow bats. Hence, such exhibitions are important to attract tourists, on which the livelihood of these artisans depends. During this exhibition, artisans have put up stalls that display carpets, shawls, walnut products, crewel, chain stitches, willow wicker, paper mache, Kashmir willow bats, and woollen crafted by artisans of the valley.
Presently, the tourist influx is increasing gradually after Covid and these types of exhibitions can attract them on a large scale, which is good for the artisan community.
This year, Kashmir Valley is added to UNESCO’s list of heritage sites thanks to its unique art and crafts, so such exhibitions are important.