Srinagar: Workshop organised for female artisans to promote Namda art

Oct 29, 2022

Srinagar, Oct 29 (ANI): Capacity building workshop was organised for female artisans to promote traditional rug ‘Namda’ work in Kashmir. The purpose of the programme was to promote the traditional furnishings with new designs. It was organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI)-Kashmir in collaboration with Department of Commerce, Government of India. It was conducted at Conference Hall of Numaish (Kashmir Haat) Srinagar. In this programme, Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom of Kashmir interacted with Namda artisans. Artisans also visited workshops and museums established by school of designs where different varieties of Kashmiri art products including Namda were displayed. Namda is a very important part of a Kashmiri household. Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through felting technique instead of normal weaving process. But due to low availability of raw materials, lack of skilled manpower and marketing techniques, the export of this craft has declined between 1998 and 2008. Through these programmes, Handicraft department contributed to preserve and revive the rich heritage associated with Namda craft in Kashmir. This type of programme played a vital role to develop several manufacturing processes of Namda.