Srinagar, Nov 19: As the World Heritage Week is starting from Saturday to promote cultural and heritage conservation, a group of diverse backgrounds in Srinagar got to explore multi-dimensions of Kashmir’s heritage and cultural spaces.
With three parallel events coincidentally happening on the first day of the week-long world Heritage week – Craft Safari, Craft Photo Exhibition about a craftsperson, Craft and Manuscripts Exhibitions.
The day connected various people with their cultural roots who got connected with each other at the Srinagar Craft Safari where a group of people including students and researchers explored the interiors of the old city through the narrow lanes.
Ilyas Rizvi, an oral historian and craft researcher who was part of the craft safari, said, “we got an opportunity to visit the homes of rare craftsmen who were seen busy in their workplaces. It was a good experience meeting artists and artisans of the old city.”
He said the day was very rare as the three events coincidentally happened on one day. He said, “The passionate craft researchers got firsthand experience of how artisans work and also got to know their socio-cultural spaces and their economic conditions.”
From old city Srinagar, Iliyas with a small group of craft students went to Art Emporium to attend the Craft-Photo Exhibition of the last craftsman of glazed pottery of Ghulam Mohammad. The photo documentation worked by an architect Zoya Khan, featuring life and work of the craftsmen were on display.
Also, the day marks the last day of the event Insha-i-Daraab commemorating the life of Kashmir’s last Persian poet, Mohammad Amin Darab. Rare Persian manuscripts of the poet were put on display. A unique collection of antique things was also displayed. Be it handwritten Quran, jewellery of copperware, many people came up with their personal collection of artefacts.
World Heritage Week is celebrated every year from November 19 to November 25.
“Today was a unique day as the heritage week started from today and we had a complete view of our tradition, literature and culture. It was very insightful knowing about the past of our Kashmir. Such art and exhibition places should be held so that we can come closer to our culture,” said Nadia, a student.
Iliyas Rizvi hopes more such heritage related functions are thrown open to people large with students and researchers in particular to aware and sensitize everyone about the place’s rich traditions.
