The Return of the Loom

Grassroots initiatives and global recognition are helping artisans stitch resilience into Kashmir's craft economy.

- Malik Daniyal

In Srinagar's old alleys, the clatter of looms has grown faint. Once-bustling karkhanas now stand locked or turned into storage spaces.

For centuries, Kashmiri handicrafts have carried history, preserved identity, and sustained families. From Pashmina and Kani shawls to papier-mâché and walnut woodwork, these crafts supported generations.

Today, they stand at the edge of decline, pressured by globalization, technology, and neglect.

Handmade with patience and precision, each Kashmiri craft is a cultural heirloom. The warmth of a Pashmina, the delicate Sozni embroidery, and the vivid strokes of papier-maché tell a story.

Yet in today's fast-paced markets, their prestige is slipping, leaving artisans to fight for survival.

For decades, handicrafts were cultural expression as well as economic backbone. At their peak, government records estimate more than 2.5 lakh artisans were engaged directly or indirectly in the sector. Whole communities revolved around these crafts, where weaving, carving, or embroidering was both livelihood and legacy.

Now, signs of revival are emerging.

In traditional craft clusters, like Nawa Kadal, Zaina Kadal, and Kanihama, the hum of charkhas is being heard again. A major reason is the growing use of Geographical Indication (GI) tags, which give authenticity new economic value.

From only 175 GI labels in 2014, the number rose to over 13,900 by 2022-23. Exports, too, nearly doubled in two years, from 563 crore in 2021-22 to around 1,162 crore in 2023-24.

For many artisans, this has brought not just hope but steady earnings.