The centuries-old “namda” (wollen felt rug) craft of Kashmir is now flourishing once more. More than 2,200 Valley-based artisans, the most of whom are female, are driving the resuscitation of the once-extinct craft. This week, they sent the first batch of a $1.5 lakh export shipment to the UK, Japan, Holland, and Germany.

After more than 25 years, this is the first export of namdas created in J&K. After receiving instruction as part of the Center’s unique pilot initiative to preserve the craft that dates back to the 11th century, the artisans’ situation improved.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development, began the programme in November 2021. As of today, 2,212 namda craft producers in six clusters—Srinagar, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Budgam, and Anantnag—have received certification.

“In the 1970s, Kashmiri namdas used to account for annual exports worth Rs 300 to 400 crore. But gradually due to scarcity of raw materials, skilled manpower and marketing techniques, exports declined by almost 100 per cent starting 1998. The latest export order worth USD 1.5 lakh is the first in 25 years. Artisans trained under the central project are executing it,” explained, Arshad Mir, Chairman, J&K Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council under the Centre.