Hakeem Manzoor, a Papier-mâché artist remembers that day vividly when decided to introduce his art into interiors.
“I am into Papier-mâché art for the last 40 years. Earlier I used to work on boxes and other stuff. However things changed 15 years when we introduced Papier-mâché art in the interiors”, said Manzoor.
We have done interior Papier-mâché work in houses and shrines. It all began in 2010 with the Charar-e-Sharief shrine, and then we worked at Peer Dastageer Sahib after the fire incident. We worked on that project till 2014, he said.
Adding that he said, “We then did the Papier-mâché work at Ziyarat Naqshband Sahab for one year and then at Khanqah-e-Moula. In 2017, we worked on the project at the Shrine of Hazrat Ameer Kabeer Meer Syed Ali Hamdan for two to three years”.
This craft started taking turns in the year 2010 and now the people are appreciating the art, he said.
Adding that Manzoor said, The Papier-mâché work on small boxes is almost over and that is the reason why any parent does not his children to take up the art as there is no benefit and money. Also, there is no inclination of government towards that work”.
I will give you my example, my son has done graduation and has been working with me as slowly interior Papier-mâché work is taking shape and is giving a small benefit. We have worked extremely hard on the interior Papier-mâché art, Manzoor said.
I think, if the government takes this Papier-mâché interior work at the international level, huge employment can be created here in Kashmir and parents will encourage children to take up the art, he said.
My father changed the concept 15 years back because it was exporters who used to earn money while workers used to get a few pennies. My father took a bold step and took the Papier-mâché work to interiors at a different level, said Hakeem Manzoor.
The Papier-mâché work we are doing right now is a lifetime work. Our Papier-mâché work won’t get bad in a few years. It is a handmade work. Our biggest support has been an engineer at INTACH Sameer Hamdani, Hakeem said.
“He taught so many things to my father on how Papier-mâché can be introduced into interiors. Our work is going good as in Kashmir people are found of Papier-mâché work”, Hakeem said.
Adding that he said I would urge the government to put extra efforts into Papier-mâché work so that it can provide a livelihood to other families like ours. Also, the Jammu and Kashmir government should look over people who have mastered the art of Papier-mâché on boxes. Those people need dire attention from the government as it is high time revive their art and make Papier-mâché work and employment generation tools.