Father and daughter revive traditional reed mat weaving in Kashmir, helping women earn income at home

Loss of Traditional Skills

This change affects not only interior design but also leads to a gradual loss of skills and traditions that shaped life in the valley. For many generations, Kashmiri homes were familiar with Vaguv mats (also known as Vagve or Uguv). These items were woven by hand from dry rice straw and marsh reeds, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer.

Before the early 2000s, it was difficult to find a home without such a mat. However, changing lifestyles and the emergence of cheaper factory substitutes pushed this craft to the background. As demand decreased, artisans abandoned their looms and sought work in other fields, and the age-old tradition began to fade.

Challenges for Kashmiri Crafts

Kashmir has long been renowned for its craftsmanship—from pashmina shawls to walnut wood carving and papier-mâché. While some of these crafts continue to thrive, many lesser-known traditions struggled to survive. Uguv weaving was one such tradition. As the younger generation shifted focus to education, urban employment, and digital careers, fewer people were interested in learning the craft. Without masters to pass on knowledge, the future of Uguv looked uncertain.

Family Initiative to Preserve Culture

Nevertheless, in Srinagar, one family decided not to let this craft disappear. Ghulam Hassan and his daughter Tanzila spent recent years trying to revive Uguv weaving—not only as a cultural tradition but also as a source of livelihood for local families. What started as a small effort in their own home gradually turned into a community initiative.

Tanzila, a 24-year-old college student from Dalgate, learned the craft by watching her father work. By the early 2000s, very few artisans still practiced Uguv weaving due to the continued drop in demand. Concerned that the craft might completely vanish, Ghulam Hassan began its revival after 2020. As interest slowly returned, neighbors and local women started approaching the family to learn the skill.

Tanzila soon joined her father's efforts, helping to expand production, establish connections with buyers, and attract young artisans to the trade. She told The Better India: 'I sat with my father and watched him work. I slowly mastered this art.' She added: 'What started as a way to support my family became both my hobby and a source of income for my education.'

Today, their home functions as a training center where artisans gather to learn and work together. Their efforts help revive not just a craft, but an entire ecosystem of knowledge that was once an important part of Kashmiri cultural life.

Mat Making Technology

The process begins with local herbs and reeds collected from the marshes of Kashmir. The materials are dried, sorted, and prepared before all the weaving work is done by hand. A standard mat usually takes about four days to complete and is often made jointly by two artisans.

Although the basics can be learned relatively quickly, artisans note that creating complex patterns requires patience and many years of practice.

Role of Women in Craft Revival

The revival of Uguv is closely linked to the participation of women. Traditionally, weaving herbal mats was done by women in rural Kashmir, and the return of this craft reopens opportunities for them to earn while staying at home. According to the family, more than 20 women have been trained in Uguv weaving in recent years.

Many of them now contribute to household income by working from home, thereby helping to preserve a craft that was on the verge of extinction. Among them is 43-year-old Shameema. She notes that the increased demand for Uguv has changed her life. 'Demand has increased both within the Valley and from other parts of India in recent years. This has created opportunities for women like me,' she told The Better India.

Shameema, a mother of three, now teaches about a dozen women in her neighborhood after fulfilling her daily chores. Working about five hours a day from home, she earns between 10,000 and 12,000 rupees monthly. She says: 'This work makes me proud. I don't have to leave my home, and I can still earn and support my family.'

For many women, Uguv weaving offers more than just income; it provides flexibility, financial independence, and a chance to preserve a skill passed down through generations.

Craft's Place in Modern Life

As demand grows, so do incomes. Depending on the size and complexity of the item, artisans earn from 300 rupees for small items like doormats to 2,000 to 3,000 rupees for larger, intricately woven rugs. For families engaged in this full-time, the craft has become a reliable source of income, especially when orders come from outside Kashmir.

Demand often increases during tourist seasons and festive periods, giving an extra boost to earnings. The products are no longer limited to local markets. Uguv mats are now shipped to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore through craft exhibitions, fairs, and social media orders. Hotels, cafes, and boutique guesthouses have become among the biggest buyers, attracted by the natural texture and eco-friendliness of the products.

What was once a dying craft is gradually finding new life as a small but growing rural enterprise. If Vaguv was once valued primarily as a household necessity, today these mats are increasingly used as decorative elements in cafes, restaurants, and hotels, where their rustic charm attracts customers looking for a handmade and sustainable alternative.

Innovation and Heritage Preservation

Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Budgam, switched to Uguv mats after many years of using synthetic alternatives. He shares: 'I used modern mats for years, but Uguv feels more comfortable and natural. It gives a sense of warmth and reminds us of our traditions.'

Artisans are also adapting to changing tastes. In addition to traditional floor mats, they now make doormats, tablecloths, wall hangings, and decorative elements. Tanzila explains: 'We used to only make herbal mats. Now customers ask for new designs and products. The younger generation wants creativity in everything.'

This willingness to innovate has helped keep the craft relevant to modern consumers without losing its traditional essence.

Persistent Challenges

Despite the revival, Uguv weaving continues to face difficulties. One of the most serious is the decreasing availability of raw materials. The marshes around Srinagar, once rich in reeds and herbs used for weaving, are shrinking due to pollution and land encroachment. Tanzila notes: 'Sometimes, when we get large orders, we have to search for grass in rural areas, which increases our costs.'

The problem goes beyond rising costs. Artisans believe that the future of Uguv is closely tied to the future of Kashmir's wetlands. Without access to these natural resources, long-term maintenance of the craft could become increasingly difficult.

Personal Mission and Support

For Ghulam Hassan, the revival of Vaguv is deeply personal. Having learned the craft in childhood, he personally witnessed its decline. Today, he is beginning to see signs of hope. Thanks to growing awareness, participation in exhibitions, and wider reach through craft events, interest in Uguv is slowly returning. He says: 'Before, this work was limited to our home. Now almost every house around us is involved. We work as a family to preserve this art.'

Tanzila played a vital role in this process, bringing fresh ideas, establishing connections with new markets, and encouraging young artisans to learn the skill. Together, father and daughter transformed a fading tradition into a shared endeavor.

Their story serves as a reminder that preserving heritage does not always mean freezing things in time. Sometimes it means finding new ways for old traditions to survive. Although there are currently no specific government training programs for Uguv artisans, the artisans report receiving support through craft exhibitions and fairs, where they can display and sell their products. These opportunities have helped them reach new customers, secure orders, and present the craft to audiences outside Kashmir.