Two master weavers from Kanihama, Budgam—Manzoor Ahmad Hajam and Fayaz Ahmad Wani—have been conferred the prestigious National Handloom Award for their contribution to the indigenous art of Kani weaving.
The award was presented by President of India Droupadi Murmu at a function in New Delhi held to commemorate National Handloom Day. The duo received the honour for their joint entry, ‘Chand-Daar Kani Shawl’, which carries a citation and cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh.
According to the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, the award-winning shawl represents a rare Kani weaving technique guided by coded Talim scripts to ensure precision. The intricate work features nearly 20 distinct hues to recreate an antique masterpiece.
The department said the recognition highlights the weavers’ contribution to preserving the centuries-old Kani weaving tradition and brings the craft further into the forefront of the crafts sector, potentially opening new business opportunities for the high-value art.
The department also described the two master weavers as role models for thousands of weavers in Kashmir, while acknowledging their craftsmanship and the global admiration earned by the traditional art.
(JJ News Desk)
