Sonafa, a small village in the Budgam district of Indian -Tish Kashmir, is famous for its unique craft ‘Saseni’ across India and ‘Shilp Village’ status.
In the foot of the mountain range of Pir Panjal, this village is not only known for its natural beauty, but also for technical heritage, protected by the residents here.
Saseni is an excellent and complex style of traditional embroidery in Kashmir. This art is mainly performed on Pashmina, wool and silk shawls.
It is embroidered by fine cotton or silk threads including flowers, leaves, tight and traditional Kashmiri design.
This embroidery is so complex and hardworking that it takes several months or sometimes years to produce shawls. This is the reason that this craft is praised around the world due to its personality and beauty.
The chessesy is handed over with fine cotton or silk thread, including flowers, leaves, faults and traditional Kashmiri design (Omar Ahmed/ Independent Urdu).
For the last hundred years, Sonipa village has completely submerged in Suzanne embroidery. This village also receives the address of ‘Craft Village’ because every house is connected to art here. The craftsmen here have received seven Presidential Awards and more than two dozen state awards.
This success is not only the perfection of art, but is a living example of dedication, hard work and tradition that the people of the village are engaged in their daily lives.
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For the last 40 years, Ali Muhammad Malik, who is associated with Saseni embroidery, has become the identity of the village. He learned this art in his childhood and after his father’s death, he took responsibility for his family and took him his profession.
He says: ‘This art was started by our elder Ghulam Hasan Shera in our village. He taught other villagers and gradually it became the main source of livelihood. ,
In 2011, Ali Muhammad Malik received the state and national honors. He says: ‘It took me two years to make a shawl.’
Today, more than 10 artists work and are trained in their workshop. Many of his students have now won the State Awards and some are participating in national level competitions.
Although Suzanne embroidery can be an attractive business, there are many challenges in its way.
Ali Muhammad’s workshop works and is undergoing training (Omar Ahmed/ Independent Urdu)
Ali Mohammed says that there is a fake and machine shawl in the market, which are sold in the name of real crafts. This not only affects the revenue of the craftsmen, but also breaks the confidence of consumers.
To deal with the issue, the Government of India has introduced authentic tags for Kashmiri Pashmina Shawl, which help consumers differentiate between real and fake.
Ali Mohammad Malik believes that there is a need to provide further assistance to the government. He said: ‘The government should organize exhibitions at home and abroad so that artists can perform their work and this art can be recognized globally.’
In addition, training centers, design schools also require partnership, digital marketing and coordination so that artists can directly benefit.
