Srinagar: While holding it with his left hand, a pheran clad man gradually spins the flower vase as he rolls his brush on the artifact repeatedly. After hours of the intricate painting, the plant bearing tufts of rose drawn on the vase looks real.
Aga Syed Sajad Hussaini Hamdani, a man bestowed with magical fingers is an accomplished Paper Machie artist from Zadibal area of Srinagar. A son of respectable and learned personality Aga syed Ali Hussaini Hamdani from Khanqah-e-Sokhta Nawakadal in Srinagar, Sajad has been tinkering with colors and brush since his childhood. Even though Sajad’s parents wanted him to become an engineer, his unflinching love with colors and designs landed him into the world of Paper Machie.
“Whenever my parents entered into my room, where I was supposed to study school books they always found me doing drawings. Once sarcastically, my father grabbing my hand took me to a nearby Paper Machie workshop in the area. To the surprise of every one at home, I never opened the school bag onwards while embracing the craft as a lifetime career”, says Sajad while recalling the incident which changed the course in his life.
After the incident , there was a no time to look back. While his peers and class mates were making it to the colleges and universities, the natural artist in Sajad was being groomed at the hands of Kashmir, best artist Haji Mirza Muhammad Saleh from the valley. I was lucky enough to spend 14
years of my life and apprenticeship with such a great teacher . Through his knowledge , He taught us to be the change and that change can be conceived through the brush.
Infusing life into the artificats for more than 30 years now, this artist from Down Town has produced thousands of rare designs in the craft winning respect and accolades through out the globe. Having fetched to the demands of Valley’s renowned craft businesses like Suffering Moses, Kawoosa Art and Bony Arts, the rare designs made by Sajad are valued world over and within the domestic circles too. From Mehraab of Masjid-e-Salman Farsi, Budgam Imambara , hotels in Srinagar to Mumbai hotels, the paper machie panels designed and painted by this artist soothe thousands of onlookers and visitors.
Sajad has won laurels for his unmatched work across the globe. I still use to get orders from the customers from different parts of the world. According to Sajad, the demand for his work has increased within the country also. Off late, lot of people from different states of India have shown keen interest in the possession of paper machie artifacts. There is a good scope for growth, if a person treads on it professionally, says the artist while deliberating upon the career opportunities for the youth in this field. Initially I used to deliver my orders to few showrooms and businessmen operating in some European countries only. But now, there is a good demand for the art within in the domestic circles. Only a days ago, I received a call of appreciation from one of my customer in Mumbai. The trade needs patience and dedication. Apart from the time, youth who want to be in this craft should bear in mind the principle of honesty and preservance, As both pays in the long run. I ask the youth to come forward and embrace the ancestral craft, as it is full of opportunities and avenues keeping the changing lifestyle and taste of the people in mind.
In these days to reach out to the world is a not any big task. With the help of a social media , any artist can put his work on display for the world audience and earn livelihood as well as much needed encouragement.
Recently , Sajad’s magical fingers handed him a job in one of the reputed universities of the valley. In th year 2018, He was appointed as senior skill instructor by Design Innovation Centre of Central University Kashmir. Posted presently at Islamia College Srinagar, Sajad grooms hundreds of new hands in to the world of Paper Machie.
Though the handicrafts industry in the valley has taken a severe hit from past 30 years, recent enlisting of Srinagar among the creative city network by UNESCO for its unique crafts and art world coupled with a rejuvenated push of the authorities to promote and curate the heritage art of Kashmir has instilled a ray of hope among the artistic fraternity in the valley. According to Sajad, the government as wel as people should put concerted effort to encourage and promote the art in the valley. Sajad believes that like other parts of the world, the community should celebrate and observe the artisans day in Kashmir.