One fine day in September, last year, walking on the embankments of paddy fields, Urooj Jan, 22, found a clay pot filled with water. While returning home, she thought of using her designing skills that she had mastered since childhood—with just a thought—make it beautiful.
From there she got an inspiration and soon after she went to the potter shop near her residence in Anantnag, south Kashmir and brought a few more clay items. Contemplating at home for the next few days got the best. She started with coloring items like Samawar, Tumbakhnaer, pots, and chillam. Slowly, she started decorating these things to make them more attractive.
Her first customer, and critic, was her family—of her first product, a decorated Samawar which gave her the confidence and appreciation that she wanted.
When she went to the potter the second time, he asked out of curiosity, “What do you do with them? No one buys them anymore.” His questions and other factors pulled her down, but lifting herself up, she decided to work harder. At that moment only, she promised to herself that she will use her skills to create a market for such products again.
The blooming internet, a boon, infused a new life, and hope, in Ms. Jan. Taking to social media, she started an Instagram account named, Qatar in December 2018. Now, with Qatar, which literally means broken part of clay pot in the Kashmiri language, by her side, her aim is to save the dying tradition. Being an optimist, she believes that using new-age methods can play a role in saving fading tradition.
At Qatar, she showcases her decorated artwork, including traditional Kashmiri items like Samawar, Tumbakhnaer, pots, and chillam.
Right now, aside from her Masters in Clinical Biology from the University of Kashmir, she is earning a profit of around seven-thousand rupees a month.
These days, when Ms. Jan is not attending her classes, she finishes her orders. She is backed by her father, Masood Jan, a contractor by profession, who also gives her company sometimes.
Recently, she also registered her work at ITCI.com, an online collaborative platform to sell products around the globe. Being actively anxious, she wishes for her studies to end quicker, aiming to give all her time to work.
Kashmir is actually in need of such people who want to contribute towards Kashmir’s culture, art and tradition which is unfortunately dying with every passing day. Such one initiative can inspire many youth to give a new life to our dying art and traditions.
Ms. Jan is doing a great job, Congratulation to her..
