Sang tarash: Kashmir’s stone carvers face hard truth
Amid technological advancements and other challenges, Kashmir's traditional stone carvers, known as sang tarash, are striving to preserve their craft.
Stone carving has thrived in Kashmir for centuries, representing a rich heritage. However, this medieval art form is slowly losing prominence in the face of modernisation.
Dewar kaen, a local stone, serves as the primary material for crafting various artefacts by skilled stone masons, known as sang tarash, in the Kashmir region.
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After toiling with stones, a group of exhausted stone masons in Sempora village, located on the outskirts of Srinagar, rejuvenate themselves with a cup of nun-chai, a traditional local tea.
Traditional culinary items like pestle and mortar, crafted from stone, are available for sale in a shop near Pandrethan, Srinagar, reflecting the enduring presence of stone-crafted goods in daily life.
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A shopkeeper showcases a fresh range of specially crafted stone artefacts, which continue to be valued and used by a section of the local society, bridging tradition and modernity.
The elderly master stone artisan, Mohammad Ismail Baba, breathes life into stones with the aid of chisels and mallets, bringing his artistic vision to fruition.
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In Ajas village, a sang tarash has inscribed intricate floral art onto stones, displaying the creativity of this ancient craft.
According to Bashir Ahmad Dar, a tombstone dealer, the demand for tombstones and nameplates made from local dewar kaen stone has decreased, with marble becoming the preferred choice in contemporary times.
Mohammad Ishaq Khan, a skilled stone mason from Srinagar, dedicates his time to crafting kanech or veneering stones.
One side of the long rectangular dewar kaen blocks is made rough to serve as flooring in traditional hamam heating systems, highlighting the versatility of this stone.
A traditional shop in Srinagar displays stone artefacts, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of stone carving in Kashmir.
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The lead image at the top shows a stone carver at work.
Text and pictures by Nasir Yousufi.