Budgam Kani artisans bag National Handloom Award from President

Fayaz Ahmad Wani and his student Manzoor Ahmad Hajam from Kanihama village in Budgam have received the National Handloom Award 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on August 7. The award in the weaving category recognised their Chanddar Kani Shawl, which took over 15 months of painstaking work to complete.

Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, felicitated the duo during the Independence Day function at Sports Stadium Budgam. He described the honour as a proud moment for the district and a significant recognition of Kashmir's handloom legacy. Wani has trained more than 50 people in Kani weaving, keeping alive a nearly 400-year-old tradition through the Guru-Shishya system.

Greater Kashmir reports that the District Administration has reiterated its commitment to supporting artisans and promoting traditional crafts among the youth as avenues for livelihood and cultural preservation.