Kashmir handicraft artisans bag 2 Shilp Guru, 6 National awards

The handicraft artisans from Kashmir have brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by bagging two Shilip Guru and six National level awards in different craft categories. The Prestigious awards that carry a citation and a cash prize were announced by the Central Government and were conferred by the Minister of Textiles, Commerce, and Industry, Piyush Goyal at Vigyan Bhawan on Monday.

The award categories were announced for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 amidst an august gathering that included Officers from the office of Development Commissioner Handicrafts.

While congratulating the prize winners, the Minister assured the artisan community of the country of all possible support. He also stressed preserving this unique skill that is responsible for the production of world-famous Handicraft products. The awards were given in different categories that included Sozni, Paper Machie and Carpet.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Sonpah Beerwah and Iqbal Hussain Khan



of Gazi Doori were awarded Shilp Guru awards for the years 2018 and 2019 in the Jamawar Shawl craft and Paper Machie respectively.

Similarly, the National awards were conferred upon Muzaffar Hussain Khushoo of Kathi Maidan Srinagar (Paper Machie, 2019); Zahoor Ahmad Bhat of Shalla Bagh Zadibal (Sozni Embroidery, 2019); Safdar Ali Mir of Sonpah Beerawah ( Sozni Embroidery, 2018); Parveza Bano of Kathi Maidan Alamgari Bazar (Sozni Embroidery, 2018); Akthar Hussain Rather of Hawal Kral Pora (Paper Machie, 2017) and Ghulam Ali Sheikh of Shahoo Sachan Kulgam (Hand Knotted Carpet, Double Sided, 2017).

Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah has extended his greetings to the awardees. He said the Department is aware of the creative talent that is available in Village Sonpah of District Budgam as a result, a DPR for developing the Village as the craft Village has been prepared and submitted to Government of India.