Kashmiri artisans revive traditional wood carving business

Artisans in Kashmir are making efforts to revive traditional wood carving, and are now hopeful that this business would soon pick up.

Two decades of insurgency in the Kashmir Valley had hit the business of wood carving very hard. But now, the authorities have said that they are hopeful that the wood carving trade would regain its previous glory and stature.

"During the past 25 years, this trade had reduced drastically, and at one point of time, we could only produce goods worth 25 crore rupees. I am happy that now it is picking up. For the last one decade, trade is again picking up and people are venturing into wood carving exports," said Shakeel Ahmad Qalander, an exporter and a former president of the Kashmir Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Wood carving is a heritage of Kashmir, various types of woods, including rare walnut wood, are engraved with sleek and rich designs. The art is done on objects ranging from tables, chairs, writing desks, dining tables, cigarette boxes, cigar boxes, jewellery boxes and photo frames.

Renowned artisan and businessman Nazir Ahmad Shah said there is an undoubted boost in the business.

Shah also said the government will have to take some steps to revive the interest of craftsmen and encourage them to take up this craft.