A Winter Journey into Legacy and Craft
I still remember the day vividly. It was the winter of 2017, and I was on a quest to find Kashmiri papier mâché artisans—particularly those who had been carrying the legacy of this exquisite art on their shoulders for generations. My search led me to Saida Kadal, an old neighborhood steeped in history.
As I wandered through its narrow lanes, someone mentioned that Ghulam Hasan Khan’s workshop was nearby. I followed their directions and soon found myself standing in front of an old heritage building, its walls bare and weathered, holding the weight of time. The air carried a stillness, a kind of timelessness, as if I had stepped into another era.
I called out his name three or four times, my voice echoing in the silence. Then, after a moment, I heard a voice in Kashmiri: “Hyur Waluv”—meaning “Come to the first floor.” A few seconds later, he emerged, greeting me with a magnetic smile and warmth that instantly put me at ease. He welcomed me inside his workshop, and as he began showing me his work, I realized I had just entered a world where art, tradition, and an undying passion for papier mâché intertwined seamlessly.
The Keeper of a Fading Art
Ghulam Hasan Khan, a third-generation papier mâché artist, is one of the few remaining torchbearers of this celebrated craft in Kashmir. His journey began as a child, watching his father and grandfather mold wet paper pulp into intricate forms. The rhythmic strokes of fine brushes, the scent of adhesive, and the glow of finished masterpieces filled his childhood.
For Ghulam Hasan, papier mâché is not just an art—it is the soul of his homeland, the language of his ancestors. He remembers a time when almost every household in his neighborhood was involved in this craft. Today, however, only a handful of artisans remain, struggling to keep the tradition alive.
A Legacy Rooted in History
Papier mâché came to Kashmir in the 14th century, introduced by the Persian saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. Over centuries, Kashmiri artisans perfected the craft, turning it into one of the region’s most treasured handicrafts. The process involves molding paper pulp into delicate shapes, drying them, and painting intricate floral, geometric, and Persian-inspired designs.
Every piece, be it an ornate jewelry box, a beautifully painted vase, or an elaborate lamp base, tells a story of Kashmir’s artistic heritage. The motifs often reflect the region’s breathtaking beauty—chinar leaves, saffron flowers, and Mughal gardens.
A Workshop of Timeless Creations
His workshop, though modest, felt like a place of magic. Every corner was filled with half-finished vases, trays, and decorative objects in different stages of completion. I was fascinated by the precision with which he painted each piece, using fine squirrel-hair brushes to bring his creations to life.
One of the most striking pieces I saw that day was a papier mâché elephant, a traditional design passed down through generations. As he worked, Ghulam Hasan spoke of how his craft was once highly sought after, both in India and abroad. Today, however, the market is flooded with machine-made imitations, making survival increasingly difficult for artisans like him.
The Fight for Survival
Despite his passion, Ghulam Hasan Khan faces immense challenges. The demand for authentic papier mâché has dwindled, and artisans struggle to compete with cheaper, mass-produced alternatives. The younger generation is reluctant to take up this labor-intensive craft, seeking more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
"There was a time when every home in my neighborhood had someone working on papier mâché," he recalled. "Today, only a handful of us remain. If this continues, future generations will only read about this art in books."
But Ghulam Hasan refuses to give up. His hands, aged yet steady, continue shaping and painting, defying the tides of time. He believes that with the right support, awareness, and modern adaptations, Kashmiri papier mâché can thrive again.
The Art of Making Papier Mâché
The process of creating papier mâché is meticulous and time-consuming. It begins with waste paper, which is soaked in water for days until it becomes soft. This pulp is then mixed with an adhesive called 'Sakhta', made from rice or wheat starch, to give it strength. Once molded into the desired shape, the object is sun-dried before being polished with a layer of chalk and glue, making it smooth for painting.
The most intricate part of the process is the painting, known as 'Naqashi'. Using fine brushes, artisans hand-paint elaborate patterns onto the surface. Many of these designs have been passed down for generations and are deeply rooted in Kashmiri tradition.
"Each piece takes days, sometimes weeks, to complete. It requires patience, steady hands, and above all, love for the craft," says Ghulam Hasan Khan.
Becoming a Part of the Hamiast Family
That winter meeting in 2017 marked the beginning of something bigger. Over the years, Ghulam Hasan Khan has become an integral part of the Hamiast family—a startup I founded to promote the cultural heritage of Kashmir. Through Hamiast, we aim to connect artisans like Ghulam Hasan with customers who value authentic craftsmanship.
By showcasing his work on our platform, we hope to provide him with the recognition and financial stability he deserves. More than that, we want to revive the dying art of papier mâché by ensuring that artisans continue practicing it for generations to come.
Preserving Kashmir’s Artistic Heritage
To keep the legacy alive, Ghulam Hasan Khan has taken up the role of a mentor. He now trains young apprentices, ensuring that the knowledge passed down through generations does not disappear. He also experiments with new designs, blending traditional Kashmiri motifs with modern aesthetics to appeal to contemporary buyers.
"We must adapt without losing our essence," he believes.
A Call to Action: How You Can Help
If you want to help revive Kashmiri papier mâché, here’s how you can contribute:
-
Buy Authentic: Purchase papier mâché from verified artisans and platforms like Hamiast, ensuring your money goes directly to the craftsmen.
-
Spread Awareness: Share the stories of artisans on social media to help promote their work.
-
Encourage Young Artisans: Advocate for workshops and training programs to inspire the younger generation to take up this craft.
-
Gift Papier Mâché: Choose handcrafted papier mâché items as gifts for friends and family to keep the demand alive.
A Story in Every Stroke
Each creation by Ghulam Hasan Khan is more than just an artifact—it is a labor of love, patience, and deep cultural significance. His story is a reminder that true craftsmanship is timeless, and that behind every handcrafted piece lies an artist’s soul, beating to the rhythm of heritage and hope.
As Hamiast continues to support artisans like Ghulam Hasan Khan, we invite you to be a part of this journey—one that values tradition, craftsmanship, and the hands that create magic from mere papier mâché sculpting.
Join us in preserving Kashmir’s artistic heritage—one masterpiece at a time.
Thanks,
Qazi Moien Ahmad
Founder Hamiast
