Keeping up with the traditions, the blacksmiths from the Zanigam Village of the Beerwah tehsil in budgam district still craft the traditional hand made agricultural and other tools while people from the Kashmir valley still purchase these tools despite the availability of advanced ones.
Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger, a blacksmith from Zanigam Village told Rising Kashmir that he has been practicing this craft for the past 13 years, having learned the skill from his experienced father, who also operates another shop in the village.
“We also craft various types of Kashmiri knives using animal horns such as sheep, cow, and buffalo, which adds to the quality of the Kashmiri knife in our village. People from other parts of Kashmir have shown interest in buying these knives as well. They purchase Kashmiri knives at a reasonable price and use them in their homes,” Ahanger said.
He said, “We are currently in the process of crafting various types of meat and bone cutting Kashmiri knives for butchers and chicken sellers. In addition to these tools, we also manufacture agricultural tools such as tridents, shovels, spades, mattocks, rakes, hoes, axes, and hand pruner cutters. All of these tools are handmade, without the use of any technology. Each item is meticulously crafted by hand.”
“Currently, there are 30 Ahanger families residing in our village, all of whom are actively involved in various activities within the community. My grandfather was a renowned blacksmith in the village, known for crafting guns during his lifetime. This is one of the reasons why the blacksmiths of Zanigam are highly esteemed throughout the Kashmir valley,” Aijaz shared.
He said that their forefathers were engaged in this craft, which has been passed down from one generation to the next. “Just like our ancestors, we are able to derive a source of income from this craft. It is our duty to safeguard this tradition and pass on this skill to the future generations in our village. This craft is a legacy that has been passed down through the ages by our ancestors. If we abandon this craft, the art of blacksmiths will slowly fade away from Kashmir valley”, he said.
“The tourists who visit Doodhpathri also purchase items from us. They are delighted to witness the live demonstration of how Kashmiri handmade tools are crafted in the valley. The people from different districts of Kashmir valley, as well as Rajouri and Poonch districts, buy a variety of handmade tools from our village. They have a good understanding of the traditional handmade tools produced in our village and prefer to buy these over machine-made tools,” he added.
Molvi Ghulam Hassan Ahanger, a highly experienced blacksmith from Zanigam village, stated that he has been involved in this profession for the past 60 years and continues to work in the village. “The art of blacksmiths in our village gained recognition when cannons were produced during the Maharaja rule in Jammu and Kashmir. Since then this craft in our village has become renowned throughout the Kashmir valley”, he said.
According to Ahanger, he has been informed by the elders that the cannons featured in the famous Hindi film Mughal-e-Azam were manufactured by the blacksmiths in Zanigam village. Additionally, the blacksmiths in Zanigam are capable of crafting a wide range of handmade tools for agricultural and horticultural purposes.
Ahanger expressed the need to create a platform through which the village’s products can be sold in other Indian states, providing a source of income and livelihood opportunities for the youth in the Kashmir valley.
“The blacksmiths in our village can craft knives from the horns of deer and wild goats, as well as other handmade tools based on customer preferences. The people from various parts of the Kashmir valley come to our village to purchase traditional handmade tools, contributing to the livelihood of the local community”, he said.
Ahanger emphasized the importance of government support in reviving this art form in Kashmir, which could provide livelihood opportunities for thousands of young individuals.
Ghulam Mohammad Dar, a farmer from Kupwara district said that for the past 18 years, he has been acquiring various types of agricultural tools from Zanigam Village.
Dar expressed his belief that even though technology may alter the lifestyle of people, the elderly people in Kashmir valley will continue to utilize handmade tools in agricultural fields. He highlighted the unique functionality and importance of these tools, which machines are unable to replicate.
He also pointed out that relying solely on technology could lead to increased expenses for farmers who still rely on traditional tools for agricultural and horticultural purposes.
