Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 8
Two master weavers from Kanihama in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district have received the National Handloom Award for their work in Kani shawl weaving, the Handicrafts and Handloom Department said.
Manzoor Ahmad Hajam and Fayaz Ahmad Wani were presented the award by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi held to mark National Handloom Day.
The award recognised their joint entry, a Chand-Daar Kani Shawl, produced using the traditional Kani weaving technique.
The Handicrafts and Handloom Department congratulated the two craftsmen, describing the award as recognition of their contribution to one of Kashmir’s distinctive indigenous weaving traditions.
A department spokesman said the award could help bring greater attention to Kani weaving and create new commercial opportunities for the high-value craft.
The award carries a citation and a cash prize of 250,000 rupees.
The department said the shawl was produced using a rare Kani weaving technique guided by coded Talim scripts, which allow weavers to reproduce intricate designs with precision. The award-winning piece incorporates nearly 20 distinct hues to recreate an antique design.
Kani weaving is a labour-intensive craft associated with Kashmir’s centuries-old shawl-making tradition. The department said the work of Hajam and Wani had helped preserve the technique while also attracting wider recognition.
The department described the two craftsmen as role models for other weavers in Kashmir and the wider handicrafts sector.
The award comes as authorities seek to promote traditional crafts as a source of economic activity while preserving techniques that have been passed through generations.
