Meenakari craft in Kashmir faces extinction. Last surviving artisan struggles to keep the legacy alive

By Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Feb 05: The centuries-old Kashmiri art of Meenakari is on the brink of extinction, with its last surviving artisans struggling to make ends meet.

Nazir Ahmad Pahalwan (72), son of the late Ghulam Nabi Pahalwan from Teergaripora, Rajouri Kadal, Srinagar, is among the last remaining Meenakari artisans in Kashmir. Speaking to Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he shared how he has been dedicated to this craft since 1968, having learned the intricate art from his father.

Despite his passion and decades of expertise, Nazir now finds himself battling dwindling demand. “Meenakari work has almost disappeared. I rarely receive orders, and earning a livelihood has become a daily struggle,” he said.

Once a thriving craft, Meenakari artisans in Kashmir have either abandoned the profession or switched to other jobs due to the lack of market demand. “There were a handful of us, but as the market dried up, they moved on. Even my own son has chosen to work as a fitter rather than continue this legacy,” Nazir lamented.

Meenakari, an intricate enamelwork on gold, silver, and copper, once flourished in Kashmir, with artisans engraving names and artistic motifs on metal surfaces. However, over the past 15 years, interest in the craft has sharply declined, leaving Nazir as one of its last torchbearers.

Despite his ailing health and financial struggles, Nazir has steadfastly kept the art alive, working from a small, dilapidated workshop within his home in Rajouri Kadal. “Old Kashmiri Meenakari pieces are now rare collectibles, found only in museums and art books,” he said. “Kashmir was once a renowned center for Meenakari on silver, gold, and brass. The process requires meticulous craftsmanship, patience, and specialized micro tools.”

Nazir believes that with proper government intervention and efforts to attract young artisans, the craft can still be revived. “If the government supports this art and encourages youth to take it up, we can preserve this legacy for future generations,” he added. (KNO)