Ganderbal, Nov: Wickerwork, a well-known art in
Kashmir, is slowly fading away as many artisans
associated with this industry are switching to other forms
of livelihood.
Wicker, a plant species also known as Shallows, is found
in the Shalla Bug village of central Kashmir's Ganderbal
district. Shalabug was given a Model Village title in 2002
where 6000 people depend on willow work for their
livelihood.
The village produces a lot of raw material from locally
cultivated willow rushes and reeds.
Villages like Harran, Shalla Bug, Tehlipora, Kachan, and
Gundi Rehman are the main centres for this craft.
Wickerwork products include basket ducks, chairs, willow
basket trays, baskets and many other things. Some of
these items are exported traditionally.
Willow work is totally based on hand work. Only hands are
used to make beautiful and worthy products.
It has been figured out that over the last 50 years; around
90 percent of artisans have been involved in willow work,
with nearly 600 families dependent on this work.
Abdul Karim, while talking to the news agency—Kashmir
News Observer (KNO) said that wickerwork is totally
based on handwork to make “elegant and worthy”
products.
The willow items have an attractive face value which
makes it precious not only in local markets but they are
also exported to foreign countries,” Karim said.
“Willow is mainly used to make baskets, kangri and many
other items and ornaments which are usually presented as
gifts on weddings, anniversaries and other occasions. It
also highlights Kashmir's culture,” he added.
Mushtaq Ahmed, a willow dealer said they used to make
hundreds of sets and export them but due to the lockdown
during the Covid-19 pandemic, the business was
“massively” hit. “Willow items were exported to various
states of India and this contributed to J&K's economy,” he
said.
Ghulam Muhammad Lone, another artisan, said the
government should help them export their products to
other states of the country, and abroad.
"This profession is dying gradually due to some loopholes
on part of the government. Our new generation is not keen
to carry forward this craft. The Lieutenant Governor-led
administration should intervene to save this craft," he said.
Due to industrialisation, burgeoning growth in substitute
products, rapid changes in consumer tastes and paucity of
attention, the handicraft sector in Jammu and Kashmir is
slowly losing its place in the market because machine-
made products are very cheaper while handmade ones
require complex labour work with low-profit
margin—(KNO)
