Bereft of the power of speech and hearing right from birth, 55-year-old Mohammad Yousuf Muran remains busy from dawn to dusk churning out wood carved masterpieces.
Muran hails from Eidgah Narwara in downtown Srinagar. Born deaf and dumb, this frail Kashmiri has learnt the art of wood carving from his elder brother, Abdul Ahad Muran, who is also deaf and mute.
He has been at it since the age of four, carrying forward the traditional work of his forefathers with his excellent prowess and expertise.
Muran recently created a replica of the historical Jamia Mosque in Srinagar. It took him three months to complete the task and is a reflection of his brilliance.
This art piece has gone viral on social media and won him applause and appreciation from across the world.
Muran’s other creations include Saint George of England on a horse, a statue of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussain, Mahatma Gandhi, the Hazratbal Shrine, Kashmiri Samovar, the fire pot Kanger, Shepherd, Wildlife and a peace monument created on the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road link showing a Pakistani and Kashmiri hugging each other.
All of these items have been created out of dead wood, said his nephew Mudaser Muran, who acts as his interpreter and sign language teacher.
“Wood carving is our traditional business for the past 200 years and, before partition, our great grandfather had a showroom in Karachi. We were doing business in central Asia through the ancient “Silk route,” he said.
“Put any picture of any monument in front of Muran and he will create the same on deadwood. One will find it difficult to believe or differentiate between the picture, or the wood work,” he added.
Mudaser said Muran’s beautiful wood carved products can be sold for millions in the international market, but regrets that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has not given him any recognition.
“Despite being the lone specially-abled person in Jammu and Kashmir, Muran has not been selected for any state or National award to encourage his unmatched wood carving art work,” Mudaser said.
He said that we approached the Department of Handicrafts many times for conferring state awards and recommending the central awards for him, but nothing has been done so far.
He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to see Muran’s artistic work and give him an award.
“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan is “Make in India”, my uncle deserves the highest recognition in the field of artisans,” Mudaser said.
“We are living in downtown Srinagar, but I call it the “Crown of Kashmir” as there are not only “stone throwers”, but also artisans who have created history through their globally acclaimed products,” he added.
“We have given life to the craft of wood carving for the past 200 years and even the authorities are aware of our skill with this art. We have been ignored because he (Muran) is deaf and dumb. He is clearly a victim,” Mudaser added.
“Muran broke down on seeing on artisans of Kashmir being awarded for their outstanding contribution, while he was being ignored,” Mudaser said, adding, “I console him and tell him he will get recognition one day.”
Mudaser said customers who visit the showroom at Eidgah Narwara are taken by a surprise after seeing the work created by Yousuf Muran and question whether this is really an artistic work of a deaf and dumb person.
Mudaser said we are sending our items to Dubai and all over India to our clients.
“Our items are heritage ones which could be kept in museums, at international airports, places of tourist destination, at malls and hotels to promote Kashmir art,” he added.