Meet Abdul Majeed Zargar: Kashmir's last surviving ‘Mukh’ craftsman

In Kashmir tradition still clings to the fabric of daily life, as 75-year-old Abdul Majeed Zargar from Amda Kadal Jogiwan, Srinagar, stands as the last known maker of 'shuttle boats” — an essential tool used in traditional hand loom weaving.

- JAHANGEER GANAIE

The shuttle boat, or ‘Mukh’, is a vital component of the loom. It carries the weft yarn back and forth across the warp threads, enabling the intricate patterns that define Kashmiri textiles such as Pashmina and Tusha. Without it, the loom falls silent.

Speaking to the news agency, Zargar said he has dedicated nearly five decades to handcrafting these wooden tools with patience and precision. “I learned this art on my own; no one taught me. Over the years, I have crafted thousands of shuttle boats, supplying them to artisans across Kashmir,” he said.

However, with the rise of power looms and the decline of traditional weaving practices, demand for handmade shuttle boats has sharply decreased.