Malik Azra, who is a young entrepreneur from south Kashmir’s Pulwama town, has become an internet sensation in Kashmir after her creative art products grabbed the attention of users on social media.
The 25-year-old is the owner of the ‘Craft and Creations’ outlet and is also working as an art teacher at a private school in the district. She is using her creative ideas for recycling trash and later sells them both online and offline.
“I usually use polythene, wrappers, homemade things, disposable glasses, bottle caps, bangles, empty bottles, and other related things and then recycle them by making attractive products,” she said.
Azra is currently working on quilling frames, miniature art, wall frames, table frames, gifts, resin jewelry, resin key-chains, etc. Of these, she has so far sold off over 250 products.
With Masters in Commerce, Azra was inclined towards arts activities from her childhood and in 2018 she started her own business also.
Azra also teaches at school to motivate students to work hard towards any art so that they get passionate about it.
“I am working as an art teacher in a nearby private school and after getting appreciation for my art, I got the idea of turning it into a full-time profession,” she said.
From 2019 onwards, Azra started quilling in and participated in different exhibitions. She also invested some money in her venture at Pulwama where she gets a minimum of 6 to 7 orders a week.
“Currently there is no profit and loss, but it has a bright future ahead as its demand is increasing day by day. Since my childhood, I had a dream to do something concrete for orphan girls and provide a platform,” she said.
In the same year, Azra says she participated in an exhibition in Srinagar where dozens of other women across Kashmir also assembled under the banner of ‘Poash’.
“It was a good platform to showcase my art made from discarded waste, which got me immense appreciation and accolades,” she said.
“That exhibition was a turning point of my life, where I realized my hidden art and never looked back. Now I am getting positive responses from customers, people and even my students,” she said.
Azra says that art is a form of communication that can promote the challenges concerning our society. Providing an aesthetic message can often convey awareness or understanding, she said.
Her family remains her strongest pillar of support, driving her everywhere, to exhibitions across Kashmir so that she can showcase her products.
“My family is acting as a backbone in my journey. They never discouraged me instead urged me to work for my passion and extended their full support,” she said.
Meanwhile, she also employed and trained some orphan girls from nearby areas to train them quilling art at her newly established outlet.
“It is a journey of two years. I am satisfied with my work. Now people know my work. Currently, I am working on a new brand called ‘Nesta’ with a tagline ‘Happiness is Handmade’, which I would be launching soon,” Azra said.
About plans, she said she is also interested in event management, art and craft, and other things so that she can provide a platform for girls in her town.
Azra said that women should understand that even with Rs 100 they can start a business. The most important thing is to stand on one’s own feet and be financially independent,” she said.
“There are hurdles everywhere but one has to stand up to create her own space in the new environment,” Azra added.
