Pulwama : In a remarkable defiance of traditional gender norms, a group of young girls from the Kakapora area in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have enthusiastically embraced the art of wood carving as their chosen profession. Facilitated by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom Jammu and Kashmir, these aspiring artisans are currently undergoing a two-year training program at a dedicated center in Kakapora.
Expressing their gratitude to the authorities of the handicrafts and handloom department, one of the girls undergoing training shared that prior to this opportunity, they had no knowledge of this traditional art form. The training center not only introduced them to the craft but also sparked a curiosity among them to pursue wood carving professionally.
Traditionally, wood carving in Kashmir has been predominantly practiced by men. However, with the establishment of the training center in their locality, these young girls were given a unique chance to learn and master this skill. Currently, 18 girls have been actively participating in the wood carving training program since November 5, 2022.
“We want to start our ventures after completion of the training,” expressed one of the aspiring wood carving artisans.
According to Mohammad Yaseen, Assistant Director of Handicrafts and Handloom Pulwama, the girls are enrolled in a two-year elementary training program. During this period, the participants receive a stipend of rupees 1000. For advanced training, the stipend is increased to rupees 1500. Upon successfully completing the program, the artisans will be registered by the department and receive artisan registration cards after assessment.
Yaseen further explained that those artisans aspiring to start their own units can avail a soft loan of rupees 200,000 under the artisans and weavers credit card scheme. The department supports them by covering 7% of the annual interest on the loan, leaving the unit owners responsible for only 3% of the interest.
Additionally, the Handicrafts and Handloom department assists registered artisans in marketing by providing Geographical Indication (GI) tagging for their finished products. It also enables them to showcase their creations through stalls at various exhibitions within and outside Jammu and Kashmir, further promoting their skills on a larger platform.
