Kashmir is well-known for crafts like Pashmina shawl and Sozni embroidery. The scenic beauty and the climate have also inspired other wool crafts like Namda, now on its way out.

Though these traditional crafts have been sustainable sources of livelihoods for artisans from many regions in Kashmir, today, both the craft and the crafts persons are going through tough times! Especially, the Namda craft which has caught the attention of the government and the exporters to ensure its revival and restore its potential to empower people and develop local economy.

In case you had visited any stall of Kashmiri handicrafts in an exhibition or tried buying a souvenir from Kashmir, few decades ago, Namda rug or a Namda jacket would have been on your list. Today, it’s hard to find them being displayed in stores and exhibitions, with hardly a few craftsmen practicing it, signally the decline of the craft!

Materials and process

The process starts with gathering, cleaning and laying of thick wool on a grass or jute mat within a defined border. This is followed by many steps till the final piece of Namda unfolds:

Current status of the craft and challenges

Despite the richness of unique designs and being a cultural artifact, there are few existential challenges faced by the artisans while felting, such as limited availability of wool carding machines, lack of human resources, low marketing and demand for new designs.

In addition, the dwindling number of artisans are forced to take up other activities and forms of employment to supplement their earnings , leaving Namda craft as a part-time activity among a handful of them. Further, they lack exposure to latest technologies that could help them save time, intense laborious effort and innovate to blend with modern sensibility and taste.

Though Namda craft dates back to centuries and has exquisite designs, artisans need to upskill and re-skill themselves according to changing times. They should learn new designs, marketing techniques, modern technologies which will help them to sustain the Namda craft in the country keeping the authenticity alive.

Efforts to revive the craft through RPL, upskilling and other forms of support

Despite encouragement and patronage from connoisseurs, Namda craft has not been able to get sustainable support and appropriate linkages to connect with the market.

In a recent development to promote and propagate the craft, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has announced a pilot project with an increase of financial outlay.

To boost this traditional craft of Kashmir and upskill the local artisans, Hon’ble Minister of State (MSDE), Shri. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, launched a pilot Special Project under Skill India Mission for the artisans working on the traditional an heritage crafts clusters.

This pilot project will benefit 2,250 artisans of 30 Namda clusters from six districts of Kashmir. There will be an industry-based training programme and exposure to the international markets. Read More

How skill-based training can help in realizing the market potential

To save the craft from extinction and rebuild livelihoods of the artisans who have depended on it for ages, promotional efforts should be preceded with upskilling and creating entrepreneurship support systems.

For ages, Kashmiri handicrafts have been integral to the development of the local economy and a source of income for thousands of artisans from different clusters. While few crafts have been able to withstand the challenges of dynamic markets, others are not so lucky to survive on their own. Though Namda appears in the list of dying crafts, the measures taken for its revival bring in new hope and aspirations to reinstate its fading glory.