The natural beauty of Kashmir is no doubt an inspiration but Kashmir is globally recognized because of its beautiful arts and crafts . It provides employment to vast segments of craft persons. If anyone has given us global identity, it’s our handicraft.
it (Kashmir ) is home to the finest art works in the world .As Kashmir is the valley of artisans where many arts have found their roots .one such art which remain an integral part of the valleys culture is the Paper Mache Art. The beautiful art of paper Mache is heart and soul of Kashmir culture. The amazing transformation of scrap or waste paper into beautiful artefacts done in decorative beauty to outshine the very essence of colors is what paper Mache is all about .
In Kashmir, paper machie originated in the form of making pen cases (qalamdans) from paper pulp. The qalamdans were in turn covered with floral or geometric patterns and finished with a coat of rogan (varnish). It was for this reason the craft was initially referred to as kar-i-qalamdan (the art of making pen cases) or alsokar-i-munaqash (the art of decorating).
Over a period of time the craft has evolved into an unique form of surface decoration which was mostly painting (naqashi) applied over an object made completely from paper pulp or employing any light weight material as the base.
Thus the term paper machie has come to represent the traditional technique and process of surface decoration by artisans from Kashmir, rather than the composition of the object which is to be decorated.
A French term so commonly adopted in the East as well as west and meaning “Mashed Paper” paper Mache is in fact a unique combination of Line and color on moulded forms of variety of objects (D N saraf ,Arts and crafts of Jammu Kashmir ,p-125) .

The Origin of Paper Machie in Kashmir

The Paper Machie technique was introduced in Kashmir by the 15th century Sultan, Zain- Ul-Abadin (1420-1470) after his return from captivity in Samarkand in central Asia. It is said that during his confinement there the young prince observed, among many other central Asian craft techniques, the art of using paper pulp as a base to manufacture finely painted and lacquered ware. Most traditional historical references maintain that Zain-ul-Abideen invited craftsmen from Iran and Central Asia and amongst the various crafts that were introduced in this period is also the art of making lacquered pen cases known as kar-i-qalamdan.
The humble journey of making this beautiful paper Mache products involves two processes : Sakhtasaazi ( basic object is made of a light weight material by a different community called saktasazi.,who fashions the base product ) and Naqashi (Painting ) giving decorative touch ,painting by fine hands for intricate designs , done over it .

Products

A wide range of paper-mache items which has are widely known for beautiful motifs and designs include :
Wall-plaques and Panels, Mirror-holders, writing table sets, Lamp stands, Boxes (cigar, flat, jewellery cups, trays, frames, elephants, horses, cats, flower vases ,pendant Lamp Shades etc.
As per the official statement by Jammu Kashmir Handicraft Department, of the 56 traditional skills ,only 26 are practised today .Among the surviving skills is Paper Mache - which unfortunately is dying a silent death.It has contributed a lot to the economy of Kashmir ,but unfortunately this craft is becoming part-time activity. Like other crafts ,it has suffered due to it being unorganized with additional constraints of Low capital ,poor exposure to newer technologies ,absence of market intelligence etc .

Plight Of Artisans

Kashmir for centuries has been associated with rich art and culture but for decades has been arrested in a steep decline of this legacy. The artists associated with handicraft are poorest of the communities of the society. most of the artisans earn a meager income from their tedious labour ,they are not able to run their family from these wages. This has become a part time activity for these artisans as they have moved to other Fields, the artisans don't Want their children also to continue with this art ,this is threatening to become a part time activity because of diminishing returns .young generation show reluctance to learn the skill . The state has to work on many fronts to revive the arts and crafts in Kashmir.
First and foremost should be safeguarding the future of artists by creating schemes and welfare programmes which will help them to sustain a dignified life., this will keep the traditional art and craft alive and beating .
Kashmir have won a great reputation as artisans were celebrated in the old days. But now the artisans even the national and state award artists are leaving the art .The need of an hour is to reach out to the artisans with good schemes and awareness about the existing schemes .we have to retain our identity ,we have to preserve traditional art and craft (Continued..)

Writer is a postgraduate in Craft Management design and Entrepreneurship . dar javeed305@gmail.com