Srinagar, February 25 (BANN): In a remarkable achievement on the global stage, Mir Arshad Hussain, a renowned papier mâché craftsman from Bota Kadal, Lal Bazar, has won the first prize at the prestigious 9th International Fajr Festival of Handicrafts, Sarv-e-Simin, held in Tehran, Iran. He was honored with a Diploma of Honor and a cash prize of ₹65,000, presented by Iranian Minister for Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri.
Mir Arshad’s award-winning creation, a papier mâché wall plate, beautifully blended traditional Kashmiri motifs with contemporary designs, standing out among 7,000 entries from across the world. The festival showcased extraordinary works by master artisans and designers, setting new benchmarks of excellence and creativity in handicrafts.
The Iranian Minister for Culture personally commended Mir Arshad’s craftsmanship, acknowledging his innovative approach and dedication to preserving the rich artistic legacy of the world. In his message, he stated, “Your creations, shaped by your masterful hands, stand as a testament to skill, passion, and dedication to cultural and artistic heritage.”
Director of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam, met and congratulated Mir Arshad on this rare honor. He expressed hope that such international recognition would inspire other artisans to further elevate Kashmir’s rich handicraft traditions.
Mir Arshad, an IT engineer by qualification but a craftsman by passion, has pledged his full support to the Handicrafts and Handloom Department Kashmir in its mission to promote traditional Kashmiri crafts like papier mâché, which have immense potential in global markets.
