Bashir Ahmad, the fourth-generation owner of a 124-year-old dye house, stands as the last custodian of a centuries-old tradition: hand-dyeing wool.
For over a century, Bashir's family has been the lifeblood of Kashmir's handicraft industry, providing the vibrant colours that adorn its famous shawls, carpets, and embroideries.
Their meticulously dyed wool, once sought-after internationally, suffered a devastating blow during the COVID-19 pandemic, entirely cutting off foreign orders.
With no successor, the future of this ancient craft lies uncertain. Bashir’s retirement could mean the closure of his family's legacy, with implications for the entire Kashmiri handicraft sector, which heavily relies on this unique product.
“After my death, this ancestral shop will be locked up as the new generation doesn’t want to continue this work.” he told Fahim Mattoo (storiesby_fahim) with a heavy heart.
Credits: storiesby_fahim
#Kashmir #KashmiriHandicrafts #Rangrez #Srinagar #Handdyed #TraditionalCrafts #CulturalHeritage
[Kashmir, Kashmiri handicrafts, Rangrez, Hand-dyed Wool, traditional crafts, textile industry]