Srinagar, Jan 31: The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, has strongly refuted claims made in a recent news report titled “The Art Will Die with Us”: Srinagar’s papier mache craftsmen battle extinction.

In a press release, a department spokesman clarified that the department runs 19 training centres across Kashmir Division, providing hands-on papier mache training to around 400 artisans annually. “So far, 8,102 new artisans have been trained, carrying forward this unique craft,” he said, adding that unorganised artisans are being registered to avail government schemes.
To encourage artisans, 25 master craftsmen have received UT Awards over the past decade. Prominent figures like Fayaz Ahmad Jan and Iqbal Hussain Khan have been honoured with Padma Shri and Shilp Guru awards, respectively, for their contributions.
The department also promotes papier mache under the Soulful Kashmir initiative and recommends artisans for national trade fairs such as IITF, Surajkund Mela, and Gandhi Shilp Bazaar. Exports of papier mache products from Kashmir in the last decade have reached ₹212.06 crore, the highest among non-textile crafts in the region.
To ensure skill transfer, the flagship Karkhandar Scheme focuses on traditional crafts including papier mache, walnut carving, silver filigree, carpet weaving, and Kani shawl weaving. The department has also obtained GI registration for papier mache crafts, allowing authorised users to benefit from QR code labelling and testing at PTQCC, Srinagar, to reach wider markets.
The department emphasized that papier mache remains a vibrant and growing craft, actively supported through training, recognition, promotion, and market development initiatives.