Mir Arshid Hussain, a talented Paper Mâché artist from Bota Kadal, Srinagar, has brought immense pride to Kashmir and India by winning the prestigious first prize at the 9th International Fajr Festival of Handicrafts in Tehran, Iran.
This alone is quite an impressive accomplishment, considering he competed against more than 7,000 papers by world applicants. His cunningly executed Paper Masha wall plate won him not only first place but also a Diploma of Honor and 65,000 in cash.
This win is especially special because it reflects the rich culture of the state of Kashmir on the international scene. Mir Arshid’s success represents the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic vision. His winning work displayed the centuries-old Paper M Pla technique that has been recycled through the generations in Kashmir.
The art form, locally known as ‘Kar-e-Kalamdani,’ involves creating beautiful objects from waste paper and natural materials decorated with intricate hand-painted designs and golden embellishments. This global award shows that the ancient Kashmir traditional handicrafts are competitive and can obtain awards on the international stage. Other artisans can be inspired to sustain their traditional craft and market it.
Kashmiri Paper M made Ancient Art
Paper Mâché, known locally as ‘Kar-e-Kalamdani,’ is a centuries-old colorful and decorative craft of Kashmir that transforms waste paper into magnificent art pieces. This other native style is making something out of recycled paper and employing vegan glues to form the objects into desired shapes by expert artisans.
The magic occurs when artisans use elaborate hand-painted work using floral motifs, Islamic patterns, and pashmina designs. The artworks are usually decorated with gold and silver leaf works to produce beautiful visual effects in bright colors: red, blue, turquoise, and gold colors.
The craft has deep historical roots, initially arriving in Kashmir from Persia (modern-day Iran) centuries ago. However, artisans of Kashmir created their very own style as time progressed, and they came up with unique styles and designs; their styles are uncharacteristically Kashmiri.
The traditional designs include ‘Gulandar Gul’ (flower patterns), ‘Gulwilayat’ (royal flower motifs), and ‘Sabz Sharik Posh’ (green floral designs). These designs depict Kashmir’s natural beauty and the people’s artistic nature. The art is exceptionally patient and skill-intensive, and developing a project takes several weeks or months, depending on the details and the size.
Mir Arshid Hussain: Master Craftsman starting as IT Engineer
Mir Arshid Hussain’s journey is truly inspiring. He left a promising career in Information Technology to dedicate himself to preserving this ancient art form. Born and raised in Srinagar’s Bota Kadal area, he learned the craft from his father during school and college. First, he studied IT and worked in the technology industry, where he would have made decent money.
However, his passion for preserving Kashmir’s cultural heritage and his concern about the declining number of skilled Paper Mâché artisans motivated him to make a life-changing decision.
He noted that this lovely art was dying a natural death and not being transmitted efficiently to the new generation. The latest generations were no longer interested in traditional crafts and sought to have other modern careers. Recognizing this threat to Kashmir’s cultural heritage, Mir Arshid bravely decided to leave his IT career and fully dedicate himself to Paper Mâché artistry.
According to him, a person must not only make money; they must also work on society’s needs and maintain traditions. His adherence to this traditional art form is an ideal manifestation of how personal enthusiasm and dedication could assist in preserving disappearing art forms. He ensures this beautiful tradition will live and flourish in future generations through his work.
Mir Arshid Hussain: Triumph at Iran’s Prestigious Festival
The 9th International Fajr Festival of Handicrafts in Tehran was the perfect platform for Mir Arshid to showcase Kashmir’s artistic excellence. The contest was extremely stiff, with more than 7,000 original applications by artists worldwide.
Only 300 international craftspeople passed the initial screening to reach the final round. Among these highly skilled craftspeople from various countries, Mir Arshid’s exceptional work earned him the coveted first position.
The creation that earned him the top prize was a magnificent Paper Mâché wall plate that exemplified the harmonization of conventional Kashmiri designs and undertones of Central Asian art. Although he had added some Persian and Central Asian influences to make it closer to the international audience, he did not lose the essence of Kashmiri design.
The piece featured traditional motifs like ‘Gulandar Gul,’ ‘Gulwilayat,’ and other classic Kashmiri patterns, all executed with extraordinary precision and artistic finesse. The accomplishment made Kashmiri Paper MÂÿcE gain international recognition, showing that traditional arts can compete and excel in the global platform. The victory is a lesson to other artisans and conveys a role of culture preservation and promotion through active contribution in international forums.
The vision of Cultural Heritage preservation
Mir Arshid Hussain’s vision extends far beyond personal success; he is deeply committed to ensuring the survival and growth of Kashmiri Paper Mâché for future generations. He firmly believes that to maintain any traditional craft, it must be introduced and promoted on international platforms where individuals can learn about them and admire their beauty and importance to the people.
His participation in the Iran festival was part of this larger mission to showcase Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage and create global awareness about this ancient art form.
He underlines that traditional designs should be saved with narrow modern adaptations. Though there is no harm in a bit of innovation, extreme modernization may ruin the content and cultural identity of the craft. He advocates for a balanced approach where traditional techniques and designs are preserved while incorporating minimal contemporary elements that don’t compromise the craft’s authentic character.
His long-term wish is to make the Paper Mâché artisans viable in the market with decent living through their traditional skills. He is sure that with the appropriate market and governmental promotion, this art can be sustainably preserved with no effort and easily preserved through generations, preserving its cultural value and artistic quality.
Also Read: Suhail Muhammad Khan: The ‘Silent’ Artist from Kashmir Who Made India Proud Globally
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