Srinagar, Nov 09: As the academic calendar of schools of Jammu and Kashmir has been synchronized with the rest of the country, to make good use of the extra time, a school in Srinagar has started craft classes to impart the skills among the students and to de-stress them.
Saint Paul’s International Academy, Srinagar in collaboration with EdRAAK (Education Revival through Arts and Aesthetics in Kashmir) threw open the first of its kind formal Paper Machie Craft classes for junior school students which was started today.
The children were introduced to the craft by the internationally acclaimed artist Zaffar Wani.
The introductory class involved a group of different classes of the school, to the basics of paper mache known as “Sakht”. The beginners finished the day with the basic artistic exercise using pen and paper.
Grace Paljor, the founder and principal of the Saint Paul’s International Academy shared her views regarding the idea of starting the craft classes in the school.
“Since the academic calendar has been extended, we want our kids to learn some new crafts which will make them skillful. Also, these activities de-stress the students. We have made various creative groups in our school where our students can explore their talents and polish their skills,” she said.
The founder of EdRAAK, Iliyas Rizvi who has been working in the field of creativity through Art and Craft and Heritage for the last decade, talked about the essence of learning arts and crafts in the times of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence.
While involving students in recreational exercises, he said, “Kashmir is the land of crafts. Introduction of these at the basic school level help students to learn and identify themselves through local elements of art and culture. Also, at a time when we are influenced by machines and algorithms, the essence of creativity through arts and crafts helps nourish human emotions. This helps individuals to connect with themselves even when they have life challenges.”
Iliyas, who is also a student of Craft at Central University of Kashmir, further said that creativity shapes the personality of a person and makes them more humble, resilient so that they come up with the best solutions to deal with the problems of life.
While talking about the craft, Zafar Wani said that the paper mache craft of Kashmir is famous worldwide. “The craft is soothing and has a huge global market. The kids should get their hands on the craft. Introducing the craft in the educational institutions can lead to its revival as well,” he said.
Few months ago, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration ordered that the annual examination for the classes upto 9th will be held in March-April session. Until previous year, the academic calendar adhered to an October-November session.
