World Craft City Tag for Srinagar

Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.

A  3-day craft exchange initiative event was held in Srinagar following its recognition as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council (WCC) in June 2024. It reunited artisans from Kashmir and Central Asia after approximately 500 years.

Srinagar Recognised as World Craft City

Srinagar was recently recognized as a World Craft City by the World Crafts Council (WCC). This is a significant achievement for the city, highlighting its rich heritage and skilled artisans.

• Date: Officially recognized in June 2024
• Milestone: Srinagar becomes the fourth Indian city to receive this recognition, joining Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore.
• Importance:
  • International Recognition: Elevates Srinagar’s status as a global centre for handcrafted goods.
  • Economic Benefits: Potentially attracts tourists, investors, and buyers interested in authentic crafts, boosting the local economy.
  • Cultural Preservation: Highlights the city’s dedication to preserving traditional crafts and ensuring their survival for future generations.

About World Craft City (WCC) Designation

• Overview: The WCC initiative was launched in 2014 by the World Crafts Council AISBL (WCC-International).
• Purpose: Recognizes the crucial role of local authorities, craftspeople, and communities in driving cultural, economic, and social development globally.
• Indian Cities with WCC Designation:
  • Jaipur: Known for Kundan Jadai (gem setting), Meenakari jewellery, Lac-based crafts, and Gotta Patti work.
  • Mysuru: Famous for Kinnal paintings, Sandalwood carvings, and Rosewood inlay work.
  • Mamallapuram: Renowned for stone carving, a tradition dating back to the Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE).

Similarities in Craft Techniques

• Uzbekistan’s suzani work and Kashmir’s sozini embroidery share similar techniques, colors, and floral motifs.
• The Kashmiri carpet industry uses Persian techniques like the Farsi baff and Sehna knot for weaving wool and silk carpets.
• Kashmiri carpet patterns are named after Iranian cities such as Kashan, Kirman, Tabriz, Isfahan and Meshed.

Contributions of Zain-ul-Abidin to Kashmiri Crafts:

• Zain-ul-Abidin, the 9th Sultan of Kashmir Sultanate (15th century), brought master artisans from Samarkand, Bukhara and Persia to develop local industries.
• He promoted crafts like wood carving, carpet weaving and papier-mâché.
• Established workshops and provided state patronage to artisans, ensuring the flourishing of crafts.

Key Craft Techniques

• Sozni Work: It is a detailed and intricate needlework style, particularly used on shawls. It uses floral and geometrical motifs with fine thread on wool and silk fabrics.
• Wood Carving: It is done on walnut wood using a chisel and hammer for intricate patterns.
• Originated from Persian techniques introduced during Zain-ul-Abidin’s reign.
• Sehna Knot (Carpet Weaving): A Persian weaving method where the yarn loops around a warp thread for compactness and uniformity. It is used in Kashmiri carpets.

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