Khanyari tiles have been an important decorative part of #Kashmir Traditional #archetecture. With the changing trends, these traditional tiles were left with dwindling consumers. Once ruling Kashmiri households for decades, the tiles are now left with very low demand. However two craftsmen are trying to revive this lost craft. They revealed that the orders for the tiles has been very low and they are trying their best to keep the tile afloat. Ghulam Mohammad Kumhar a resident of Khanyar, is the main artisan who is involved in the craft. And he is passing his skill to a young potter, Umar Kumhar a resident of Nishat area in the outskirts of Srinagar city. The two artisans are trying their level best to save the art. And are hopeful that they will succeed.
The Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms organised an exhibition at the Arts Emporium in Srinagar on Tuesday to appreciate the art of Ghulam Muhammad Kumhar, possibly the last master craftsman of clay tiles popularly known as Glazed Pottery and Khanyari Tiles.
There is only one Kashmiri artisan, Ghulam Mohammad Kumar, left making these glazed tiles in the valley, and to give tribute to his rich legacy and art, a local Kashmiri architect Zoya Khan organised an exhibition in Srinagar.