Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.
Key points
- Jaipur, Malappuram and Mysore are the other Indian cities that have previously been recognised as World Craft Cities.
- The J&K administration had applied for the recognition of Srinagar as World Craft City in 2021 together with recognition as UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
- As of now, at least 10 different forms of craftsmanship survive in Srinagar and its suburbs, including papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, carpets, Sozni embroidery and Pashmina and Kani shawls.
- The fresh recognition for a city with more than 4,000 years of written history has put the spotlight on a place that has created masterpieces in different art sectors, especially shawls, carpets, papier mache, etc.
- In 2021, Srinagar also earned the title of UNESCO Creative City under Crafts and Folk Art.
