"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
14 Feb 2023 160
In the northern region of Kashmir, a young woman is single-handedly reviving a dying culture of traditional Gujjar attire. Shahida Khanum, a graduate from the remote area of Bandipora, has opened a centre in Aragam village to teach young girls the art of designing, stitching, and embroidering the traditional Gujjar attire.
The Gujjar and Bakerwal communities make up a significant portion of Jammu and Kashmir's multi-ethnic population, with their own unique culture of clothing, food, and lifestyle. However, in recent decades, the younger generation has become enamored with modern clothing, leading to a decline in traditional attire's popularity. With her center, Khanum is determined to preserve and promote the traditional Gujjar attire culture among the young Gujjar population.
At her center, over fifty young girls are being trained in stitching, designing, and knitting traditional Gujjar attire. The center offers these girls not only the opportunity to revive their culture but also to earn a livelihood. The traditional caps worn by Gujjar women, known as laska, are entirely different from common skullcaps, and Khanum is training these young girls to stitch and embroider them.
While Khanum has yet to receive financial assistance from the government, she is hopeful that the Jammu and Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) will provide financial aid to expand her center and train more tribal women. Khanum's initiative is an inspiring example of how individuals can take up the task of preserving and promoting their cultural heritage, even in the absence of significant institutional support.