Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 28: Mohammad Shafi Tinda, a 42-year-old artist from Srinagar, has dedicated several decades to keeping the dying art of Kaleen (handmade carpet weaving) alive. A resident of Botakadal Gulshan Bagh, Tinda has been involved in carpet weaving for the past 30 years.
Shafi shared that he learned this art from his grandfather during his childhood. Over the years, Tinda has taught hundreds of people the intricate craft of carpet weaving and currently provides employment to dozens.
In 2011, Tinda established a centre where people could come to learn carpet weaving. Since then, hundreds have mastered various stages of the craft under his guidance. However, he said out that a person can barely earn around Rs 100-150 per day despite working from dawn to dusk.
Tinda is currently working on a 12×19 ft piece, which he has been crafting for the past four and a half years and expects to complete in another month. He lamented the low demand for handmade carpets, which has driven many master artists to abandon the craft as they struggle to make a living.
Despite the challenges, Tinda remains hopeful that Srinagar’s designation as a craft city will help revive the art form and restore its lost glory. He plans to pass on the skill to his children to ensure the tradition continues.
Tinda appealed to the government to support artists by purchasing their work and exporting it, which would help artists thrive and generate revenue for the government
“Unless the government won’t take steps to revive this art, nothing is going to happen,” he said, adding, “Director (Handicrafts & Handloom) Mahmood Shah has made efforts in this regard but much more needs to be done.”
