Srinagar, July 21: Nestled along the Srinagar-Jammu highway, about 20 kilometres from Lalchowk, lies Kanihama village, a living testament to Kashmir’s rich handloom heritage. Known as the ‘handloom village’ or ‘Kani Shawl village’, this settlement of around 450 families is home to a centuries-old tradition now under threat. Approximately 80 per cent of Kanihama’s residents are involved in weaving Kani Shawls, an art form Indigenous to the area that dates back several centuries.
However, the very artisans keeping this tradition alive are now struggling to survive. Bashir Ahmad, a veteran artisan with 30 years of experience, expresses deep regret over his career choice. “I’m earning only Rs 350 for working 10 hours a day,” Hamid laments.
“We artisans owe money to banks and can’t repay it. We’re struggling to make ends meet.” Ahmad’s story is not unique.
Hundreds of artisans in Kanihama face similar hardships, and their skills and dedication inadequately rewarded. Mushtaq Ahmad, a shawl maker for the past decade, adds, “We’re given just peanuts. Top businessmen and politicians wear these costly Pashmina shawls, but we highly skilled artisans aren’t even earning the wages of unskilled labour.
” The creation of a Kani shawl is a painstaking process. Depending on the intricacy of the design, an artisan may weave only a few centimetres per day, with a single shawl taking between 6 and 18 months to complete. These shawls, made from high-grade Pashmi.