The ancient tradition of pottery has drawn the attention of the government of Jammu and Kashmir after an engineer-turned-potter proposed the resurgence of dying art in the Valley.
Saima Shafi, 32, popularly known as ‘Kral Koor’ (potter in Kashmir), was recently invited by the state crafts department to share her experiences with artisans from Beerwah in central Kashmir. During their interaction with artisans, the overwhelming response to the resurgence of ceramics in Kashmir prompted the crafts department official to decide that data on these artisans would be collected to draw up plans for them.
Shafi, who works as a junior engineer in the Department of Public Works here, asked those present at the function to make sure they teach the art of ceramics to their future generations. “The curd is still better deposited in an earthenware container and earthenware pots make the water sweeter and colder during summers. It should not be forgotten that while wickerwork makes the Kashmiri Kangri a bright and joyful sight, at its core is an earthenware pot made by a potter, ”he said.
Urging artisans not to seek help from government alone, he asked them to partner with non-governmental organizations to understand the changing techniques in this trade globally. Addressing the meeting, Shafi said that the time has come when we must bring the centuries-old tradition of pottery to modern Kashmir kitchens. He informed them that Haryana’s stoneware clay can be made using the potter’s wheel and can even be used in microwave ovens.
Later, speaking with a group of potters separately, Shafi told them about the Burzahom archaeological site in the Kashmir Valley, which has stone age remains and is awaiting UNESCO World Heritage status. . “During the excavation, clay pots that had been made during the stone age were discovered. The place is very close to the city of Srinagar and tells the story of the ancient ties to pottery. Please pass this art on to your next generation so that we remain connected to our roots, ”said Shafi.
The civil engineer said she found out about the irreverent current state of pottery the day she started looking for an institute that could teach this art in the region. “If we know the trade, where are the institutes that teach this? Why are government schemes not popular with the potter community? These are questions that must be answered, ”he said.
After work hours and on weekends, Shafi frequents places within the Valley that were known for pottery decades ago. Visit local potters, sparsely distributed in the region, to preserve their traditional techniques for posterity. His dual identity as engineer and potter attracts surprised responses from these artisans.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.