2,000 Valley artisans, trained under Centre’s project, bag $1.5 lakh export order for ‘namdas’
New Delhi: Kashmir’s centuries-old “namda” (wollen felt rug) craft is back from the brink of extinction. Behind the revival of the once dying art that dates back to the 11th century, are more than 2,200 artisans from the Valley, mainly girls, a special report by Aditi Tandon, in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says
This follow a despatch of the first batch of an export consignment worth $1.5 lakh – the first export for J&K-made namdas in over 25 years – received from the UK, Japan, Holland and Germany
The turnaround is a direct result of the training the artisans underwent as part of the Centre’s special pilot project to save the art.
About ancient craft
Namda is a handmade rug crafted by felting of wool rather than weaving it. This centuries-old craft requires special skill
In the 1970s, namdas used to account for annual exports worth Rs 300 crore. But gradually exports dwindled due to scarcity of raw material and skilled manpower
The latest export order for namda worth $1.5 lakh is the first in the past 25 years
The project, launched by Minister of State for Skill Development Rajeev Chandrasekhar in November 2021, has so far certified 2,212 namda craft makers across six clusters — Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam and Anantnag.
Arshad Mir, Chairman, J&K Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council under the Centre, said: “In the 1970s, Kashmiri namdas used to account for annual exports worth Rs 300 to 400 crore. However, the progressive scarcity of raw materials, skilled manpower and marketing techniques, led to an almost 100 per cent decline in exports since 1998 onwards.
“This is the first order in 25 years, worth USD 1.5 lakh, executed by arrtisans trained under the central project” he added
Arshad Mir explained that Nepal gained at the cost of J&K namda art and has been exporting namda-type rugs worth nearly 650 million USD annually.
The Council is sure of a massive turnaround of the industry following the induction of fresh talent and their training.
Those first batch of trained artisans are now training more unemployed women across Kashmir to power the mission to revive Kashmir’s most striking tradition – a handmade rug crafted by felting the wool rather than weaving it.
Recently, the Council signed an MoU with Flipkart to help Kashmir’s weavers sell their namdas which are now being created in ten product categories, including Christmas embellishments, apparel and table tops.
When contacted, three artisans, part of the namda export consignment, said it was the art that had saved them rather than the other way round.
Shabroza, 21, from Srinagar, says namdas have become her tickets to the world outside Kashmir.
“It was only last year that I travelled out of Kashmir for the first time when we exhibited our namdas in New Delhi and later Goa. I was so scared to travel out but all my misgivings disappeared,” Shabzora says.
Razia Sultana, 27, also from Srinagar, has already started a small factory from her home. After completing the course, she has since trained 30 girls in namda art.
Another weaver Shahida now employs 15 people at her cottage industry in Srinagar as namdas boost local job potential.
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