Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Amid rising challenges, Haft Yarbal area of Safa Kadal near here is carving out a niche artistic story on walnut wood. Just over three and a half kilometers away from Srinagar’s bustling Lal Chowk, a symphony of craftsmanship unfolds. Here, hundreds of passionate artisans, young and old, use their skillful hands to breathe life into wood. Wood carving, known as ‘Doonhachi Kaem’ in the local Kashmiri language, is an ancient tradition that epitomises the art and heritage of Kashmir. Historical references trace the craft coming into the region from Central Asia some 600-700 years ago. Since…
Author: Babar Rather
Lost in creative contemplations with a pen in her right hand and a piece of white paper held in the left, she is creating her verses in the form of indistinguishable encoded circles. Only when they begin to flow seamlessly onto the paper, can she, or anyone wishing to enjoy her beautiful poetic verses, decipher what she has written and what those curiosity-driving circles mean to her. Meet Zareefa Jan from Poshwari village of Naidkhai in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, who has left the people of Kashmir in awe of her writing style for the last three decades. Her poetic…