In an effort to widen the market linkages and upgrade skill sets of local copper artisans the Jammu and Kashmir government has planned to set up a Copper Purity Testing Lab (CPTL) in Srinagar.
In this regard, a District Skill Development Committee (DSDC) has been constituted with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar as its chairperson. The committee will facilitate the process to revive the traditional copper art on modern lines.
DC Srinagar Aijaz Asad has asked the artisans, dealing with manufacturing and designing of copperware, to submit their details so that their database is maintained.
“The lab will help to upgrade the skill set of traditional Copperware craft artisans with innovative design techniques in sync with changing market demands,” Asad said.
“The committee will work out the plan for establishing a Copper Purity Testing Lab to ensure fidelity of the utensils made of Copperware,” an official part of the project said.
The committee will explore the possibilities of widening the ambit of market linkage to uplift the socio-economic conditions of artisans and rejuvenate the traditional heritage Craft in the Shaher-e-Khaas (Old City).
All line departments involved in the ambitious project are supposed to work in a close-knit strategy to promote the Project.
According to the details, as told by a senior official part of the project, the Industries Department is supposed to identify space at Panthachowk for setting up Copperware Stalls to facilitate visiting tourists with sale of Copperware craft products.
To start with, the concerned departments will start holding interaction sessions with the Unions/people associated with the copper trade so that they are given first-hand information about the government-sponsored schemes besides are familiarised with modern market driven designing developments in line with traditional heritage and culture.
Kashmir has one of the richest craft traditions, particularly the Srinagar city is hub of this centuries-old rich craft culture which needs to be preserved and a dynamic link of the industry with the market has to be established.
