Srinagar: In Kashmir, artisans who have been crafting the traditional Kangri—a portable clay and wicker heater for generations—are witnessing a slow decline in their trade.
Once an essential item for every household during the harsh winters in Kashmir, the Kangri is gradually losing its place as modern heating appliances have become increasingly popular in the region.
The craft, as per the artisans, requires skill and patience to produce each unique piece. However, the art of making Kangris is waning as affordable electric and gas heaters become more accessible, bringing a shift in winter traditions.
The artisans who make Kangris are mostly based in rural areas like Anantnag, Kulgam. For them, creating these small heaters has been a way of life.
Ghulam Nabi, a 65-year-old Kangri maker from Budgam, while sharing his concerns, said, “This craft has been in my family for generations. My father and his father before him made a living through this. But now, fewer people are buying Kangris, and even fewer young people want to learn how to make them. They feel it doesn’t provide enough to live on.”
With a declining demand, artisans find themselves squeezed by rising costs of raw materials and diminishing returns. A single Kangri, which can take hours to make, often sells for as low as Rs 250-Rs 350, barely covering the costs involved.
This shift is leaving artisans, who rely on this craft for their livelihood, struggling to make ends meet.
While the cultural historians believe the decline of the Kangri is symbolic of larger cultural shifts in the region. “The Kangri is more than a heating device; it is a part of Kashmir’s identity and history. Its decline reflects how modern conveniences are rapidly changing the way we live and interact with our traditions,” he said.
However, without substantial support, the future remains uncertain for artisans like Ghulam Nabi, who wonders if the next generation will even remember the warmth of a Kangri on a frigid winter night.
For many in Kashmir, the decline of the Kangri’s art form is not just a story of a craft fading away; it’s the end of an era, a loss of a small yet significant piece of their cultural identity.
As more households turn to modern heating solutions, the Kangri’s makers brace for a long, cold winter in a world where their ancient craft no longer holds the warmth it once did—(KNO)
