Srinagar, Oct 8: The Design and Innovation Cell (DIC) of Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, in collaboration with EdRAAK, organised a creative conversation on Kashmir’s arts, crafts and heritage as part of celebrations marking the anniversary of Srinagar’s recognition as a World Craft City.
Titled “Mashq-e-Paa’eez… Naqsh-o-Nigar”, the interaction brought together students, craft practitioners, designers and heritage enthusiasts to explore Kashmir’s traditional crafts and discuss the opportunities and challenges involved in preserving the region’s cultural legacy, particularly in Srinagar’s Old City.
The programme was organised against the backdrop of the World Crafts Council’s recognition of Srinagar as a Craft City and the upcoming World Heritage Week. Through conversations on crafts, cuisine, fashion and oral literature, participants explored different dimensions of Kashmir’s heritage and shared personal experiences of traditions and cultural practices.
The event was inaugurated by Islamia College Principal Aijaz Ahmad Hakak, who said the institution had been encouraging young people to take an active role in arts, crafts and heritage. He appreciated EdRAAK for conducting initiatives aimed at sensitising students about the significance of Srinagar’s World Craft City status.
Dr Zahoor Ahmad Jhat, Head of the Department and Head of the Design and Innovation Cell, highlighted the importance of international recognition for Srinagar’s craft heritage and said the collaboration with EdRAAK provided students a platform to engage with art, design and heritage beyond the classroom.
S Iliyas Rizvi, craft and heritage consultant, student of papier-mâché at the Design and Innovation Cell of Central University and founder of EdRAAK, presented “Srinagar: The Craft City”. He said engaging Gen Z with Kashmir’s crafts was essential for ensuring their continuity and using Srinagar’s World Craft City recognition to position Kashmir on the global craft map.
NIFT graduate and visiting faculty at DIC, Central University, Jasirah Qadri spoke on “Branding Kashur Crafts”, stressing the need to involve younger generations in documenting, marketing and promoting traditional crafts.
Master craftsman of papier-mâché Ustaad Syed Sajjad Hamedani also interacted with students on skill recognition and the need to create platforms connecting traditional artisans with younger audiences.
Students and young entrepreneurs, including Mir Nabeeena, Reyan-ul-Rafiq, Nadiya Zehra and Muneeb, shared experiences related to pashmina, crochet, handicrafts and heritage documentation.
EdRAAK, or Educational Revival through Arts and Aesthetics in Kashmir, has been conducting heritage walks, arts and crafts workshops and other multidisciplinary initiatives involving young people for over a decade.
