Nineteen-year-old Fazil Riyaz Jan from Nawabazar, Srinagar, is on a mission to revive the fading tradition of Karakuli, the iconic handcrafted cap that once symbolized Kashmiri heritage.
As modern fashion trends overshadow this age-old craft, Fazil is determined to restore its significance, particularly among the youth.
By promoting its cultural value and modernizing its appeal while preserving its authenticity, he hopes to ensure that Karakuli remains an enduring part of Kashmiri identity.
“This shop is 105 years old and was started by my forefather, Mohammad Yousuf Jan.
Later, my grandfather, Ghulam Ahmad Jan, joined him in crafting Karakuli caps. Now, I am the fourth generation carrying forward the legacy of my forefathers,” Fazil said.
“We offer every variety of Karakuli, and we also have Chitrali Pakol, which is made in Afghanistan and is not available anywhere else in Kashmir except at our shop. I have created a social media page to promote these caps and now deliver them worldwide. I am truly grateful for the support I have received.”
Explaining the origins of the cap, Fazil shared that Karakul is the name of a specific breed of sheep in Afghanistan. The sheepskin, with the wool still attached, is imported to Kashmir for making Karakuli caps.
“There was a time when only elderly people wore Karakuli caps. But after promoting them on social media and giving them a modern touch, many young people have started embracing this tradition. It takes about 5-6 hours to make a single Karakuli cap. I have also introduced new designs beyond the traditional ones, which have received a great response. I even design custom-made Karakuli caps as per customers’ preferences. I believe I am the only one in Kashmir offering such diverse designs.”
Karakuli caps, made from fine lamb wool, have been a part of Kashmiri culture for centuries. However, shifting fashion trends have caused their popularity to wane. Yet, Fazil remains hopeful about its revival.
“During the Bharat Jodo Yatra campaign, Rahul Gandhi purchased a Karakuli cap from our shop. Dr. Farooq Abdullah also gets his Karakuli caps from here. Former CM Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, and Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Qayoom are among our customers. Recently, on January 26, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, visited our shop and took a Karakuli cap as well.”
Fazil takes immense pride in the craftsmanship of the Karakuli cap. “Each cap is purely handmade, except for the inner lining, which is machine-made. All the caps in my shop are entirely handcrafted. I now create Karakuli caps for all age groups, including infants.
Recently, I crafted a Karakuli cap for a newborn after his parents expressed their eagerness to see him wear one. Additionally, a student from a private school won first place in a school function while wearing a Karakuli cap purchased from our shop. This shows that the younger generation is increasingly drawn to this traditional headwear.”
Reflecting on his journey, Fazil recalled his late father’s unwavering support. Though his father was employed at SMC Srinagar and not involved in the trade, he always encouraged Fazil to pursue his passion. Fazil lost his father recently, but his dedication to preserving this cultural heritage remains stronger than ever.
Fazil firmly believes that traditions are the soul of a culture. Witnessing the decline of Karakuli deeply saddened him, and he felt a strong responsibility to restore its lost glory. By introducing contemporary variations while retaining its authenticity, he hopes to inspire the youth to embrace this proud legacy. At an age when most youngsters gravitate toward modern trends, Fazil has chosen to revive Karakuli before it vanishes completely. His journey, which began in his teenage years, has now transformed into a full-fledged commitment at 19.
