Instilling new life in Kashmir’s vanishing craft

In theinteriors of Dal Lake, braving the cold, few men go out in the nearby wetland to extract reed which is called peech in local language. The reed would later on be used in the traditional mats called Waguv.
One among them, Abdul Majeedhas been associated with the making of Waguv from decades. The craft has been passed to him by his ancestors.
Soon his household bustles with the practice of making Waguv and the female folk of the house equally contribute.
Abdul said that the making of a reed mat is not as simple as it looks and it demands a lot of hardwork and skill.
After the collection of reed grass from the marshy areas, the grass is cleaned and dried to extract reed threads which are twisted to make thin and strong reed ropes. Then, the ropes are tied on two wooden poles that are opposite to each other. The poles have holes through which the reed rope is passed.
“First the ropes are tied tightly with the poles and then are woven to create a pattern. We always keep a bowl of water nearby and while weaving we keep on dipping our hands in the water in order to soften the ropes or else it will injure our hands,” said Abdul while calling the work tedious.
Traditionally every household in Kashmir would use Waguv as furnishing material on the mud floors in the vernacular architectural style of the olden houses. In later stages, it has been replaced by furnishing options that have been influenced from the subcontinent and beyond.
While talking about its significance in the past, Iliyas Rizvi, a craft researcher said, “Waguv has been suitable for the climate of Kashmir and would blend well with the traditional architecture. We see its availability and extensive utility in traditional mosques and shrines most significantly the Jamia Masjid Srinagar,” he said.
He further said that the Dal dwellers have been multi-skilled. The majority were either involved in the cultivation of vegetables and or making of reed mats. Till a decade back most of the womenfolk, beyond their kitchen work, would be found involved in making them. The modern lifestyle has impacted their livelihoods and economic conditions.
“As furnishing product, Waguv has lost its utility and is confined to negligible levels in Hammam or as a decorative item in cafes and restaurants. Also, in Ladakh and Kargil it is used to dry apricots,” he said.
In one of the art exhibitions, ’Mashq e Pa’eez – Ishq e Nabi’ organized by EdRAAK in 2021, Rizvi displayed an islamic arts instillation named Musallah, the prayer space. “I displayed a traditionally made Musallah (a prayer mat) made of reed by a craftsman GM Guru. The installation has been a tribute to the craftsmen of the past and to recognize and promote our traditional crafts which are dying slowly,” he said.
As Waguv faded from the homes, it was introduced in the cafes and restaurants as a decorative element. One of the cafes in Srinagar, Good Fellas, has been using it to decorate the interiors. Suhail Zargar, owner of the café said that his café promotes the traditional crafts of Kashmir. “The building of the café dates back to the 1940s. We have decorated the interiors with Pinjrakari designs, Waguv and wood. There are other cafes as well that are using it to decorate the ceiling or the walls,” he said.
He further said that with such initiatives, a new life can be instilled in the craft.
“The lifestyle of people has changed but we can keep the age-old craft alive by using it the other way. In Ramzan, we will be changing the interiors in the upper storey of the café and will be using Waguv and other dying craft there,” he said.
With an intention to revive the age-old craft industry, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched the Karkhandar Scheme for its upgradation.
Mahmood Ahmad Shah, director of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir said, “Under the scheme, we have set up one center in the Dal. Also, in the School of Design, we are making wagau. The live demonstration is happening there.”
Rizvi said that revival of the craft can happen when we are serious about it. “We can have a small initiative. I have started to work on a pilot project in which we are experimenting with small sized raw mats used for praying, meditation or relaxing so that we can feel nature. Future goal is to create our own brand and export the products in order to bring it back to utility,” he said, adding“Kashmir being an international tourist’s destination, a souvenir like products made of reed can be the best gift.”