Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: University of Kashmir in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) today formally launched a six- month certificate course to promote Kashmir’s dying Papier Machie art.
Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL) roped in artisans, experts and scholars to draft the course and to enhance the skills of those artisans who know the basics of the trade.
The course was formally launched by Vice-Chairman NCPUL Prof Waseem Barelvi at KU. “KU has been appointed as coordinating agency for the course to expose the workers to market trends directly and encourage them to have their own stalls in international and national exhibitions of art and craft,” the KU statement said.
Acting Vice Chancellor KU Prof MA Sofi on the occasion said: “the programs have the potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of our society particularly of those people who have upheld the traditional art and culture of our Valley for centuries.”
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman NCPUL Prof Waseem Barelvi who formally launched the course and conferred certificate of coordinating agency for the course upon KU said that NCPUL is making strenuous efforts to make sure that Urdu language is preserved for posterity by linking it with such arts and craftsmanship which once flourished under the very patronage of Urdu script and calligraphy.
“J&K is the only place in India where Urdu is the official language of the State and by roping -in an institution like University of Kashmir we aim to link Urdu language with the traditional art and craftsmanship like papier machie which was once a flourishing trade but is now dying and needs some institutional support at grass root level,” said Prof Barelvi.
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