MASROOR AHMAD
SRINAGAR: The three-day Jashn-e-Chillai Kalan-2023 cum Mega Exhibition concluded at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar on Saturday.
Over the course of three days, people from all walks of life visited the venue and made the festival a unique medium to promote the traditional art of Kashmir.
The event, organized by the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, aims to promote handicrafts in general, with a special focus on highlighting the skills of Pheran, Kangri, and Namda artisans. The venue adorned with stalls featured a diverse array of Pherans, Kangris, and Namdas for the general public to explore.
Director Handicrafts Mehmood Ahmad Shah told STATE TIMES in an exclusive interview, that it was a better experience to promote Kashmiri traditional art, especially ”Pheran”, which has been in a revival mode for the past four to five years and people are preferring to wear Pheran of different designs on different important occasions.
The Director said, this festival aligns with the ongoing departmental initiative to support local artisans, incorporating not only exhibitions but also featuring music and cultural activities.
“Such events play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting the spirit of community besides local economies and providing a platform for various forms of expression and celebrations,” he said, stressing the important role of such festivals.
He dwelt on the uniqueness of the departmental initiative, calling it a highlight of the festival.
“As we approach the festive season with Christmas and the onset of winters, we envisioned this interactive programme to enhance the experience of the crafts community,” he said.
This festival not only celebrates the craftsmanship of the region but also anticipates attracting winter tourists, contributing to the local economy and providing valuable opportunities for local artisans to showcase and sell their products.