Artisans in Sonpah, Budgam, rejoiced after the Government of India sanctioned ₹10 crore to develop their village as a Craft Tourism Village, marking true recognition of their craft heritage.
Home to award-winning craftsmen, Sonpah has brought pride to Budgam and the entire Union Territory. Artisans from the village have won 24 national and state awards, including the prestigious Shilp Guru Award.
“For decades, we demanded that our village be declared a Craft Tourism Village. The government has finally fulfilled our dream and sanctioned ₹10 crore for infrastructure development,” said Mukhtiyar Ahmad Bhat, recently honoured with a Republic Day Award.
Residents expressed joy and pride. “When we heard our village was declared a craft village, we felt elated. It showed that our village has significant value now,” Bhat added. He also expressed gratitude to the Director of Handicrafts J&K, Masarrat Zia, Assistant Director Altaf Ahmad, and national officers Rahul Sahib and Rafiq Sahib for pushing the proposal forward.
Sonpah is renowned for sozni embroidery, a craft highly valued across the region. “Artisans here craft masterpieces, which is why we have won 20 to 25 awards at state, national, and UT levels, including Shilp Guru awards,” Bhat said.
With a population of 4,000–5,000, nearly 90% of Sonpah’s residents are involved in handicrafts. “Today, government jobs are hard to come by, but if the younger generation embraces this craft, they can earn a decent livelihood. Even families with engineers, doctors, or teachers often have members who practice this art. Now that our village has this status, everyone is happy,” said one artisan.
On the government’s allocation, he said, “When Rs 10 crore comes to the village, naturally every person is happy. The money will be spent on beatification of the village. This will attract tourists, who will see how artisans work, and sales will also increase. Rs 10 crore is no small amount – it will help develop our village in every way.”
Another artisan, Ali Mohammad Malik , associated with the craft for over four decades, welcomed the move. “I have received one state and two national awards. I learnt this craft from my father, who was a great master. Even in school, we had a craft period. This art gave me opportunities I never imagined, including exhibitions at the national and state level and travel to many places. Our village was already considered a heritage point, and now it is officially a Craft Village,” Malik said.
Dispelling doubts, he said, “This will not benefit only a few, the entire community will gain. We are grateful to all officers who supported us. This recognition is a matter of pride not only for Sonpah but for the whole Beerwah area. Many artisans here are not highly educated, yet even illiterate people have mastered this craft and won awards.”
Recalling his personal journey, he said, “I studied till matriculation and even joined B.Sc., but after my father’s death in 1985–86, I had to take up this work. Luckily, I had learnt it since childhood. Today, not only me but my brothers and even my son know this craft. One of my brothers is a doctor, yet he too knows it. Almost every family in Sonpah has at least one artisan. This is our greatest pride.”
Notably, the Union Ministry of Textiles has released the first instalment of Rs 4.5 crore under the Rs 10 croreproject to develop Sonpah as a Craft Tourism Village, aimed at boosting infrastructure, market access and promotion of local crafts.
