Papier - mache art is dying in Kashmir :MOHAMMAD AKHTER MIR, Prominent face of Papier-mâche sector

 Papier - mache art is dying in Kashmir :MOHAMMAD AKHTER MIR, Prominent face

of Papier Mache sector 

Kashmiri papier-mâche is a rich  handicraft of Kashmir that was brought by renowned  Muslim  saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani from Persia in the 14th century to medieval India. It is based primarily on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colourful artifact; generally in the form of vases, bowls, or cups (with and without metal rims), boxes, trays, bases of lamps, and many other small objects. These are made in homes, and workshops, in Srinagar, and other parts of the Kashmir Valley, and are marketed primarily within India, although there is a significant international market.

We talk with prominent face of Kashmiri Papier Mache Sector ,artisan and Buisnesman MOHAMMAD AKHTER MIR in an exclusive interview with our senior correspondent Rameez Makhdoomi.

Your take on current status of Papier Mache industry in Kashmir?

Papier mache of Kashmir has rich legacy and heritage . Unfortunately due to lack of the Government support the paper machie art is dying. Today a laborer earns more than thousand rupees a day while as a Papier Machie artisan earns meagre 200 to 250 per day. As a result of this youth are not taking up the paper machie art due to financial misery. Some decades back people used to leave high profile jobs to work in papier machie sector as this was paying rich dividends. 

How are earnings in the Papier Mache sector of Kashmir different than earlier time ?

In earlier times Papier Mache was among highest paying  profession , in 1979 I left the Government job to work in the Paper Mache sector and it was paying at that time rs 200 to rs 300 daily which is equal to thousands of rupees a day by currency values . While as Government salary on those times was meagre 150 to 200 a month . Today laborer is in  far better position than Papier Machie artisan.

What is biggest hurdle faced by artisans in Kashmir?

The biggest hurdle faced by the artisans is Kashmir is undue advantage taken by the brokers , the successive Governments have also been guilty of promoting brokers in name of artisans . Real artisans need to be identified and encouraged .

What you want to be done for artisans ?

The artisans in Kashmir already have very low income. The old age pension is must for the artisans so that they can meet their crucial basic needs like health .

How about Government schemes on artisans?

This is an important question. At the time of working with Papier Mache or any other art of Kashmir only a selected few are giving out their artistic efforts.  Only a small number are preserving these arts but once the Government announces any scheme , thousands even those who do not know A,B,C,D of art come up with artisan cards to take benefits thus making these schemes meant for artisans meaningless .

Will Papier Mache art survive in Kashmir?

No Survival of Papier Mache art in Kashmir is quite difficult as artisans associated with it are in mostly difficult scenario due to less income ,and when you don't have financial security why would youth take up this .