Two Kashmiri master craftsmen win National Award

Srinagar, Nov 27: Adding yet another badge of honour on its already coveted robe, 02 master craftsmen have brought glory to Kashmir by winning the prestigious National Award in the handicrafts category, recently announced by the Union Ministry of Textiles.
Manzoor Ahmad Khan, from Rainawari and Khawaja Nazir Ali, from Alamgiri Bazar, Srinagar, shall be conferred with the National Award by the Hon’ble President of India for excellence in the field of hand-knotted carpet weaving and sozni embroidery at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on December 09.
In a press release issued here today, a spokesman of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, thanked the Ministry of Textiles for bestowing the honour and congratulated the two master craftsmen for bringing laurels to Kashmir Handicrafts, which are famous for its intricate designs and vibrant colours all over the world. “We are elated on their recognition for their immense contribution in taking crafts like sozni and carpet weaving to the next level,” he added.
Quoting Field Officer, in the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Sheikh Rafiq, the spokesman stated that the awards come with a citation and a cash prize of ₹2.00 lakh cheque. “Apart from the winners, two more craftsmen, Mashkoora Hameed from Budgam in sozni embroidery and Mir Arshad Hussain from Srinagar, in papier mache, have won special mention and have been invited to the function at Vigyan Bhawan,” he added.
Manzoor Ahmad Khan, a renowned weaver of hand-knotted carpet, was recently conferred first prize in UT Awards for the year 2024, at SKICC on Tuesday. “He also participated in the first edition of Know Your Artisan at Jhelum Riverfront and will also be actively engaged in Guru-Shishya Hastashilp Prashikshan Programme for Kupwara by Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Srinagar,” he added.
Khawaja Nazir Ali has also distinguished himself in the field of sozni embroidery in recognition of which he has been honoured with the prestigious National Award.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam, also showered praise on the awardees and added that this recognition will provide traction to the famed handicrafts and handlooms of Kashmir and help in targeting newer niche markets, especially in South East Asia.
The department shall shortly organize a function to felicitate the awardees and also those who have special mention by the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles.