Threading Heritage: Amina Akthar revives the soul of Sozini with every stitch

Shopian, Aug 08: In the remote village of Manihal in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, Amina Akhtar sits silently with a needle between her fingers. She breathes life into the fabric with fine, intricate stitches—reviving the soul of this great artwork.The art she practices is Sozni, a traditional Kashmiri embroidery known for its elegance and detail. Amina, a dedicated artisan, says the craft has changed over time. “Earlier, it was mostly used on shawls, but now we customise bags, cushion covers, file covers. Almost everything can carry Sozni,” she says, without looking up from her embroidery.“There is good return in this work,” she said. “I haven’t seen any fall in demand. In fact, there is more interest now. We use Sozni on pherans, scarves and other clothes. A lot of it goes abroad too.”She learned the art in her own village under local trainers and continued to polish her skills through dedication and practice. With time, she not only supported her family but also became a point of inspiration for other women in her locality. “Those who know the art can easily distinguish handmade from machine-made,” she says. “But even others can tell. Just turn it over and you will see the difference on the backside.” Amina credits various government schemes for helping artisans like her continue the work. “Schemes like the Credit Card Scheme, the Karkhandar Scheme and other subsidies have helped a lot,” she says. “And I believe every woman should learn this craft. It can even be done part-time and still be a source of income.”