Revival of wood carving in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 13 (ANI): The six hundred-year-old traditional net wood carving of Kashmir, known for its intricate designs and delicate handwork, is being rejuvenated.

Fearing extinction of this traditional art, the artisans have now developed new and attractive designs to revive this trade.

"This is almost a 600 year old tradition. It did stop for some time in between. It only remained in old houses. There were few artisans left. I have been involved in this for the past eight years. Now people have started taking interest in it. We have carved in many buildings in Srinagar including that of the Jammu and Kashmir bank. People like it in their houses. We only use deodar wood in it," said A. Gani, an artisan.

The wood carvings had high demand as the affluent people of the state used it for window panes and doors of their houses but with the passage of time the demand for this art declined.

"This used to be done in only windows earlier. In my old house, there was a lot of wood work. But soon cement started being used. But in my new house, I got wood carving done. This is not a new invention though. It used to be done in Kashmir earlier," said Ali Mohammed, a resident.

Besides the residential houses, this art is now being used in parks and gardens.

The art was mostly used in the palaces of maharajas. It can also be seen in almost all the shrines of valley.

With the rejuvenation of the trade, numerous artists in Kashmir are expected to find employment. By Showkat Jan ANI)