Dar, who is a celebrated craftsman in the art of walnut wood carving in Valley, while recalling his testing times ” I was in class 3 when my father had a big loss in the business, and all of a sudden all the responsibility came on to my shoulders.”
“We faced such poverty that I couldn’t even afford footwear and most of the time, I had to walk bare-feet,” recalls Dar, wearing salt and pepper long flowing beard.
Despite him wanting to continue his studies, circumstances forced him to pull curtains on his school days.
“After quitting the studies, I along with my brother who was younger than me started working for a local wood carving artisan- Abdul Razzaq Wangnoo.
“During lunch time when my brother and I used to come home, there used to be nothing at home to eat. So, we used to go back to the work empty stomach,” Dar said. “It was at the workshop that our employer gave me footwear, and at times used to give something to eat also.”
After working with Wagnoo for five years on a meager monthly salary of Rs 2.50, Dar moved to another wood carving artisan Abdul Aziz Bhat to further enhance his skills.
It was at Bhat’s place, Dar said that his interest in wood-carving rose.
“At Bhat sahib’s place we used to get an order from a well-reputed firm namely Subla & Company. So, to carve the big orders like an almirah instead of bringing it at the workshop, we used to visit the firm,” he said. “The first time when I visited the firm I saw many polished products ready for sale. It was just mind boggling.”
“That was the time when I decided that I want to become a master of this art,” Dar said.
Dar’s passion to learn the craft was of the next level.
“I was so fascinated about this art that people mistook me as a lunatic. I used to copy the design from finished products and try it at home on a plank of raw wood,” he said.
The artisan said seeing his passion, his employer Abdul Aziz Bhat decided to teach him the secrets of the art.
“Five years after learning some of the tricks of the art from Bhat sahib. I decided to start my own workshop,” he said.
As was the destination, soon after he opened his own workshop, a customer wanted a delicate wood carving on a 10-feet-long wooden piece, which nobody was willing to do.
“I decided to do it. And with God’s blessing, I finished it. That was when I came into the limelight,” he said.
However, Dar said it was artisan Noordin of Narwara locally known as “Noortuk” that made him the “master” in the field of walnut wood carving.
“He was not keeping well and wanted someone to continue his legacy. Seeing my passion, he was very fond of me and gave me all his drawings,” Dar said. “After working on his drawings, I enhanced my carving skills and became a master of the craft.”
Today, 58 years later, Dar is the most celebrated artisan in the Valley with a state and national award under his belt.
In 1995, Dar for his sublime work in wood-carving was awarded a national award.
In 1984, Dar was also honored with a state award.
During his career of 58 years, Dar has travelled to many foreign countries that include Iraq, Germany and Thailand.
“It was in 1979, when a Doctor from Iraq visited Delhi and saw my work. He was so impressed that later he took me to Iraq. I worked in Baghdad for almost two years,” he said.
With all the success and fame, Dar, however, said he is still learning the art.
“Even today, I push myself to create something new. Art has no boundaries. It is all up to your imagination,” he said.
The age Dar said that he is worried that not many people are taking up this craft as a career nowadays.
Dar believes that the government should come up with a full-fledged institution where a different form of art including wood-carving would be taught as a career-oriented job.
His son Abid Ahmad is following his father’s footsteps and has also won the state award for his exemplary work.
