Kashmir Handicrafts Dept Unveils Table Book on GI Crafts | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, on Friday unveiled a premium hard-cover Table Book featuring Kashmir’s Geographical Indication (GI)-registered crafts and the master artisans who preserve these centuries-old traditions.

A department spokesman said the publication highlights the cultural significance, authenticity and economic importance of obtaining GI status for traditional crafts. He said the Table Book presents the stories of Kashmir’s celebrated craft forms alongside the artisans behind them, describing it as both a visual archive and an authoritative reference.

The initiative is part of Craft Safari, a flagship programme under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, after Srinagar earned the Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art designation in 2021. It also extends the ‘Know Your Artisan’ series under the wider Soulful Kashmir brand campaign.

Kashmir currently has 15 GI-registered crafts, including hand-knotted carpets, Sozni, Kani shawls, papier mâché, walnut wood carving, Khatamband, Wagguv, Gabba and Namda. Six additional dossiers, including for copper and silverware, are being finalised for submission to the GI Registry in Chennai.

Designed by the department’s Resource Cell and printed in a high-quality hard-cover format, the Table Book is expected to serve as a collector’s edition and a promotional ambassador for Kashmir’s craft heritage. Complimentary copies will soon be distributed across government departments, academic institutions, trade bodies, hotels, restaurants and other stakeholders. A link for downloading the soft copy has also been made available.

The spokesman said the publication aims to deepen appreciation for Kashmir’s craft traditions, strengthen their global market potential and reinforce ongoing efforts to protect these living cultural assets.

The Directorate expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Government and partner agencies for supporting the initiative.