The carpet weaving industry in Kashmir is in decline. Lack of financial resources, the flood of low-quality fakes from China and within India and the increase in the cost of raw materials are putting severe pressure on the weavers. Though the prices of Kashmiri carpets have soared, the benefit has accrued to the middlemen and boutiques who purchase the carpets from the weavers at low prices and sell them at exorbitant mark-ups. The middlemen’s commissions account for roughly 60% of the selling price of the carpets. As a rough estimate, the weavers realize only USD 60 per month for their hard labour in producing these works of art.
This has caused the younger generations of artisans to abandon the profession, in search of higher-paying occupations. The output of carpets has declined in the Kashmir Valley. Ironically, this has increased the pressure on the weavers. The middlemen have further reduced the amount they pay the weavers for the carpets, in order to protect their own profits.
At Kashmir Weavers, we aim to revitalise the declining industry of hand-weaving and craftsmanship in Kashmir. This skill once supported thousands of weavers. Today, it struggles to provide for the few who remain. It is vital to revitalize the industry in order to bring back the craft that defines the region itself, and help to preserve it for the benefit of posterity.
The loss of the beautiful art of hand-weaving in Kashmir would be tragic for both the local and international communities. A deeply-rooted practise in this area would be eliminated, creating a loss of culture and identity in the local community. Financial struggles would multiply exponentially, as this has provided the livelihood for many generations of artisans for centuries. The death of this beautiful art would be a tremendous loss for people all over the world.
Kashmir Weavers was established in order to address some of the key issue that plague the weavers. We aim to address the inequalities in the accrual of benefits from this art. We seek to achieve higher realisations for the craftsmen themselves, in recognition for their hard work, skills and expertise. We aspire not only to help the weavers break out of the cycle of poverty, but to rejuvenate this magnificent industry and help to bring it back to its golden days.
Objectives:
∗ Boost the sales of Kashmiri hand-woven carpets and shawls,
∗ Achieve a greater share of profits for the weavers in the Kashmir region in respect of their creations,
∗ Deliver these precious products at reasonable prices directly to end-customers, thereby benefitting both the artisans and their clients,
∗ Promote the art of hand-weaving to younger generations in the region, preserve this for our future generations to derive joy from.
This has caused the younger generations of artisans to abandon the profession, in search of higher-paying occupations. The output of carpets has declined in the Kashmir Valley. Ironically, this has increased the pressure on the weavers. The middlemen have further reduced the amount they pay the weavers for the carpets, in order to protect their own profits.
At Kashmir Weavers, we aim to revitalise the declining industry of hand-weaving and craftsmanship in Kashmir. This skill once supported thousands of weavers. Today, it struggles to provide for the few who remain. It is vital to revitalize the industry in order to bring back the craft that defines the region itself, and help to preserve it for the benefit of posterity.
The loss of the beautiful art of hand-weaving in Kashmir would be tragic for both the local and international communities. A deeply-rooted practise in this area would be eliminated, creating a loss of culture and identity in the local community. Financial struggles would multiply exponentially, as this has provided the livelihood for many generations of artisans for centuries. The death of this beautiful art would be a tremendous loss for people all over the world.
Kashmir Weavers was established in order to address some of the key issue that plague the weavers. We aim to address the inequalities in the accrual of benefits from this art. We seek to achieve higher realisations for the craftsmen themselves, in recognition for their hard work, skills and expertise. We aspire not only to help the weavers break out of the cycle of poverty, but to rejuvenate this magnificent industry and help to bring it back to its golden days.
Objectives:
∗ Boost the sales of Kashmiri hand-woven carpets and shawls,
∗ Achieve a greater share of profits for the weavers in the Kashmir region in respect of their creations,
∗ Deliver these precious products at reasonable prices directly to end-customers, thereby benefitting both the artisans and their clients,
∗ Promote the art of hand-weaving to younger generations in the region, preserve this for our future generations to derive joy from.