JAMMU: In a quest to breathe new life into the ancient art of pottery in the picturesque region of Kashmir, an exclusive online interview with Saima Shafi, known as "Kralkoor," unveils the remarkable story of a woman who has transformed herself from a Professional Engineer to a passionate Potter. Born and raised in the Safa Kadal area of Srinagar's old city, Saima Shafi is the driving force behind the revival of pottery in the valley, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques.
Saima's journey from an engineering career to becoming a renowned potter is nothing short of extraordinary. Initially, pottery was her refuge, a sanctuary where she battled depression and anxiety. However, her passion quickly evolved into a mission to rejuvenate a dwindling craft. Her dedication and talent have not only earned her recognition at the national and international levels but have also ignited a renewed interest in pottery among the youth of Kashmir.
To acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, Saima embarked on a journey to Bangalore, where she underwent rigorous training in pottery. Armed with new techniques and fresh perspectives, she returned to Kashmir with a vision to establish her own Pottery Studio in 2019. Unfortunately, due to the complexities following the abrogation of Article 370, her plans were delayed. But very soon she found a suitable space to set up first pottery Studio in Kashmir.
Saima's modern pottery studio boasts a range of advanced tools and equipment, including electric wheels, gas kilns, slab rollers, and specialized pottery clay sourced from outside Kashmir. She continually seeks field experiences, engaging with local potters and exploring pottery-rich areas to enhance her craft.
The catalyst for Saima's pottery journey was her realization that Kashmir's rich cultural heritage in pottery was on the brink of extinction. With seasoned potters quitting the craft and the younger generation showing little interest, she felt compelled to step in and lend a helping hand.
Her training journey opened doors to various pottery techniques, from slab rolling to wheel throwing, stone ware clay usage, and electric kiln firing. She also delved into glazing, understanding its behavior under different conditions, and even incorporated functional pottery into her repertoire.
Saima expresses immense respect for the local potters and seeks to bridge the gap between modern and traditional pottery, all while utilizing local terracotta clay alongside imported materials.
Saima envisions a future where Kashmir stands among the world's leading pottery manufacturers, with industrial setups and learning institutions dedicated to this art form. Her journey has already begun to inspire the younger generation to embrace pottery as both an art and a livelihood.
Through her story, Saima emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's identity, never giving up on dreams, and remaining humble in the face of success. Her experiences, both as a potter and an engineer, have shaped her into a resilient individual who continues to learn, unlearn, and share her wisdom with others.
As an active member of the international pottery community, Saima constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and explore new creative horizons. She believes that everyone has their battles to fight, and creative hobbies can often be the source of solutions to life's challenges.
In this exclusive online interview conducted by Ajmer Alam Wani, Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor (www.jkmonitor.org), Saima Shafi ("Kralkoor"), the modern-day woman potter of Kashmir, shares her compelling journey, challenges, and aspirations, inviting readers to witness the renaissance of pottery in this picturesque region.
The detailed interview is below with questions and answers:-
- Can you describe your initial encounter with pottery and how it evolved from being a hobby during your battle with depression to a full-fledged mission to revive the dying craft in Kashmir?
Answer: My initial encounter with pottery was during a trip to Chandigarh during my college days, then at one fest during University days. Firstly I learnt pottery to deal with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, panic attacks then after observing the bigger picture of pottery at Bangalore, when I returned back to Kashmir and met local potters, explored the places that used to be very famous for pottery, I realised this rich cultural heritage of ours is in shambles, at the verge of extinction and people associated with this craft are quitting it and their next generation is not picking up the craft, which made me to realise that this sector really needs help.
- Your journey to learn pottery took you to Bangalore, where you underwent extensive training. Could you elaborate on the specific techniques, skills, and insights you gained during your time there that you found lacking in the traditional pottery practices in Kashmir?
Answer: Yes, during the training I observed/Learnt many things like Slab rolling, throwing on wheel, using stone ware Clay for Pottery, Firing Pottery twice, techniques of Firing in Electric Kiln, Glaze pottery, Techniques of Glazing, behaviour of glazes under different temperature and pressure, Functional Pottery and involvement of kids, girls and women of different age groups. It is all that is lacking in traditional pottery in Kashmir.
- The abrogation of Article 370 had an impact on your plans to set up a pottery studio. Could you discuss the challenges you faced during this period and how you managed to overcome them to finally establish your first pottery Studio in Kashmir?
Answer: I faced difficulty in Logistics and transportation from different parts of country and also because harsh winters were approaching, the challenges increased because not a single raw material is available locally that delayed the establishment of my pottery Studio. But, it is rightly said all is well that ends well, so here I am today with first pottery Studio in Kashmir, Alhamdulillah!
- Your endeavor to revive the craft of pottery involves interaction with local potters in different regions. How do you bridge the gap between the traditional techniques practiced by these potters and the modern approaches you've learned? Could you share any specific examples of insights or collaborations that have resulted from these interactions?
Answer: The Local porters and me never need any technique to bridge the gap, because I adore and respect them for their Originality and centuries old experience and expertise and they in turn feel happy to meet me and share experiences with me because they know I am the first person among the masses who stands for them, Pitchs voice for them and glamorized the pottery among young generation of Kashmir, that was never done by anyone over the decades.
- The clay you use for your pottery comes from outside Kashmir. Could you elaborate on the reasons behind this choice and how this clay differs from what was traditionally used in the region? Have you considered exploring local clay sources to maintain a stronger connection to Kashmiri pottery heritage?
Answer: Yes, I do use Clay Procured from Outside Kashmir but I use Local Terracotta Clay as well. Yes, Local clay definitely keeps traditional fragrance alive but apart from Terracotta Pottery I need stone ware Clay for my ceramic pottery which is not locally available and is mostly manufactured in Gujarat.
- Your efforts have garnered national and international recognition, showcasing the potential of reviving traditional crafts through modernization. How do you balance preserving the authenticity of Kashmiri pottery while introducing contemporary elements to appeal to a broader audience?
Answer: There is always the requirement of advancement in every field to compete at the International market and also keeping the interest of younger generations alive, fusion of modern and traditional art is must. So for example making traditional Kashmiri Cup ( Koshur Peyaleh) and Enhancing it with coloured Glazes to convert it into ceramic that is oven safe , Dish washer safe , Environment friendly and food safe , I think is not a bad idea at all.
- As an engineer by profession, how do you find synergy between your engineering background and your passion for pottery? Are there any specific engineering principles or problem-solving techniques that you've applied to enhance your pottery practice or studio setup?
Answer: Being Engineer and securing the Gazetted position in Government Sector was Choice and dream of my parents but being an Artist was mine, So I choose to be passionate Potter in my part time and professional engineer in my full time, to balance both, my parents expectations and my passion. As far as my professional knowledge is concerned I do use engineering equipments like drafter, my civil engineering drawing skills for designing purpose.
- The younger generation holds the key to preserving and evolving traditional crafts. How do you actively engage and inspire the youth of Kashmir to take up pottery, considering the prevailing trends and digital distractions in today's world?
Answer: Yes, definitely there are many distractions in current digital era, but there are always pros and cons associated with every facilities available today. So is with digital world as well, I used/use the same social media platforms to glamorize pottery and keep it relevant to younger generations.
- Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and plans for the future of pottery in Kashmir? How do you envision the impact of your work on the local community, the craft itself, and its recognition on a national and global scale?
Answer: Some of the major contributors of pottery in the world are China, Japan, Turkey and India. In India Uttar Pradesh contributes the major chunk. I have the same vision for Kashmir to be among the leading manufacturers of pottery to have own industrial set up in pottery Sector and one of the finest pottery learning institute must be established here. And people from the different walks of life, be part of it.
- Could you share some memorable moments or anecdotes from your interactions with local potters, your own pottery experiences, or challenges you've overcome that have significantly shaped your journey as a modern-day potter in Kashmir?
Answer: The memories attached with this journey are many but some hold special place in your life like there was some boys from local potter family who thanked me and told me that they can now proudly call themselves as “KRAAL” (Potters) openly in public. A girl was happy when her parents let her do pottery after watching me on Social media. Definitely, I Faced/face challenges which I overcame/overcome like the taunts “ wan oseya che kraalie banun”, online trolling and bullying for my skin colour for my age for my marital status, for being vocal against social evils and definitely for being a successful independent women.
- Balancing your role as a PWD engineer and a passionate potter can be demanding. How do you manage your time and responsibilities effectively between your profession and your craft, and what advice do you have for others seeking to pursue their creative passions alongside their careers?
Answer: I am nobody to give advice to anyone because I am myself student of life who has still to learn and unlearn many things but my experience might be helpful to someone reading this and my experience says ;
i. Never forget why are you created by your creator.
ii. Never be ashamed of your identity and circumstances.
iii. Come what may never give up on your dreams.
iv. Be proud of your existence because only you deserve the place in the entire universe that you’re standing at.
v. Be always humble whenever you encounter with success.
- In your pursuit to revive pottery, have you encountered any cultural or societal perceptions that challenge your efforts? How do you address and overcome any resistance or misconceptions related to modernizing a traditional craft in a culturally rich region like Kashmir?
Answer: I overcame the challenges by believing in myself knowing the fact that provider and sustainer is only one in the universe and also I am a daughter of very strong pious woman whose duas are always with me.
- Collaboration and knowledge exchange are crucial for creative growth. Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, potters, or creative individuals to further enrich your pottery journey? If so, could you share some insights from these collaborations?
Answer: Yes, I am part of international pottery community where I learn every day; also I do visit to different pottery studios across the country to keep myself updated and learn something new every time.
- Your journey showcases the intersection of mental health, creativity, and cultural preservation. Could you share some advice for individuals who are struggling with their own battles and are looking for creative outlets to overcome challenges and contribute positively to their communities, much like you have with pottery in Kashmir?
Answer: I believe everyone has his/her own battle and everyone struggles with one or the other thing but every struggle or battle definitely has solution and I believe one has to keep hunting for that solution and yes picking up any creative hobby can be source to the solution.
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