Jammu:The centuries-old Kani weaving tradition of Kashmir received a major national recognition as two master weavers from Kanihama in Budgam district were conferred the prestigious National Handloom Award 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
Manzoor Ahmad Hajam and Fayaz Ahmad Wani were honoured for their joint entry, Chand-Daar Kani Shawl, during the celebrations of the 12th National Handloom Day held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
The award carries a citation and a cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh, recognising the duo’s exceptional craftsmanship and contribution to preserving and promoting the indigenous Kani weaving tradition of Kashmir.
The Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, congratulated the two master weavers, describing the honour as a significant recognition of their contribution to one of the region’s most distinctive traditional crafts.
The Chand-Daar Kani Shawl represents a rare and intricate form of Kani weaving, executed with the help of coded Talim scripts, which guide artisans in achieving precision in intricate patterns and designs.
According to the department, the award-winning work features nearly 20 distinct hues and recreates the character of an antique masterpiece, reflecting the exceptional skill, patience and precision required in traditional Kani weaving.
The recognition also places Kanihama’s traditional weaving community in the national spotlight, with the department stating that the achievement could help open new business opportunities for the high-value craft.
The department said the craftsmanship of the two weavers has helped keep the centuries-old tradition alive while earning appreciation beyond Kashmir.
The recognition came as President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing the National Handloom Day celebrations, highlighted the need to combine India’s rich handloom traditions with modern technology and digital platforms.
Murmu said the handloom sector provides significant employment opportunities, with around 35 lakh people engaged in the sector, including more than 25 lakh women.
She said the sector could become a strong foundation for inclusive growth and self-reliance, while stressing that the appropriate use of new technologies would be essential for its sustainable development.
The President called for improved market access through modern digital solutions and said Indian handloom products could significantly expand their reach in international markets through e-commerce platforms.
She also pointed to the growing participation of young entrepreneurs, designers and start-ups in the sector, saying that traditional crafts could be linked with modern trends, brands and global value chains to create new opportunities.
Murmu stressed the need for proactive support and hand-holding of young entrepreneurs through government schemes and institutions so that their skills, innovation and enthusiasm could contribute to the long-term growth of the handloom sector.
