In the twenty-first century, now, a young Kashmiri girl has chosen a less trodden path to invigorate this dying art. She is busy in modernising the art. If handheld properly, she can be the game-changer in managing the technology and modernity deficit and bring Kashmir pottery to the level of Europe.
In between the meandering alleyways of Green Lane, Azad Basti, in city’s crowded Natiporabelt, lies the abode of an old city girl who loves to knead and mould the clay with her hands into elegant designs and patterns. Under the attic of her father’s two-storey home, she has set up her own workplace, a literal workshop that is the first potter laboratory in Kashmir.
Working on an electric wheel, she could be seen throwing or hand-building the wet clay to create mugs, pots, vases and plates. Fighting against all odds, she cherishes the dream of having her own collection of glazed earthenware.
She is Saima Shafi, an engineer who works for the government, but instantly, transforms herself into a potter once she drives home in the evening. Eldest to her siblings, Saima is born to a middle-class family. She did her schooling from Devki Arya Putri Patashala and joined the Mallinson Girls School at the higher secondary level. Inclined towards the art since her schooldays, Saima always was fond of participating in extra-curricular activities, mostly around arts and crafts.
Lost in her own world of innocence, Saima said she used to play with her hand made earthen toys during her school days. Saima always dreamt of possessing them forever. Whenever she visited Chrar-e-Sharief with her family, she never returned empty-handed. Buying earthen pots was her favourite thing. Be it Biginwaer, Tombakhnaari, Khaespyale, Thalbaan, or an oil lamp she never missed her ‘shopping’. She always felt some connection with these earthen items. She had never thought one day her creativity will find a way that will surpass all barriers.
On a short tour with her family, it was at Chandigarh where she got inspired by a distinctive yet beautiful pot. There she came to know that the concept of pottery was manifold and umpteen things can be made out of it. She purchased the fascinating item. With delicate care, Saima put the pot in her lap and travelled back home. By then, she had to complete her MBA in infrastructure and finance. There was a fascination for the pottery but a degree was the first priority.
Saima completed her studies, got a degree, and within no time, was selected for the post of a Junior Engineer in state’s Public Works Department (PWD). But soon after she felt spiritless toward the jobsi=o she decided to take off from her daily mundane routine and invest her leisure time in some creative work. It was then the world pottery came to her mind. All of a sudden, the young engineer felt she can no more be a naive to pottery, mankind’s oldest manufacturing set-up.
Saima’s quest for pottery and potters prompted her to research more within Kashmir. She was completely unimpressed as she felt the art getting from bad to worse. She even failed to locate a right teacher who could impart her the basic training in the pottery. Saima felt that in Kashmiri it was a wild-goose chase to go for any further research as people have forgotten this precious art. It was, unfortunately, reduced to fragments.
Eventually, she went to Clay Studio in Bangalore where she learnt the art owned by a humble and well-to-do couple, Saima said the husband-wife had left their job at a multinational company to chase their passion and started the studio.
After coming back from Banglore, she set up her own “shop”, a workshop at home. There was some resistance but the father supported his daughter. For the last many months now, this workshop is her laboratory and home to her creativity.
Saima has faced many hardships in initiating this step. She managed funds from her earnings. She also ordered an electric wheel online as nothing was locally available. She believes that due to taboos, lack of facilities and exposure, people associated with this unique art have shifted to other profitable business.
“Life is challenging, we need to fight back with perseverance,” Saima said. “Our society is conservative and passing caste-linked remarks is obvious but I am proud to be a Kraal Kour. Once a person gets engrossed in this creative work, worries vanish into thin air. It is a real stress-buster.”
When she decided to learn the pottery, she was in search of hope. It was not in her genes to surrender to pessimism. She says she remained determined and consistent towards the hobby. She has also made up her mind to bring back lost hope in the lives of potters.
“We need to revive this art as it is through artists and their work that a nation becomes globally known,” Saima insisted.“
