6 decades on, Sgr Wood Carver keeps portrait art alive

Falak Bilal
Srinagar, March 10: In the narrow lanes of Fateh Kadal, along the banks of the historic Jhelum River, a small workshop quietly preserves a rare and fading art form. Here, veteran artisan Abdul Aziz Gujri has spent nearly six decades transforming ordinary pieces of wood into lifelike human portraits.

Now around 70 years old, Gujri is among the few craftsmen in Kashmir who specialize in carving human faces into wood—an art that requires extraordinary patience, precision, and years of practice. Working with just a handful of traditional tools, he carefully chisels expressions and features into wooden blocks, turning them into detailed works of art.
Gujri says he began learning the craft at a young age and gradually perfected the skill over the years. “Wood carving is not just work for me; it is a passion that I have carried since childhood,” he said.
Inside his modest workshop overlooking the Jhelum, pieces of wood slowly take shape under his chisel. Each line and contour is carefully crafted, reflecting both the artisan’s experience and his emotional connection with the craft.
In earlier decades, such artworks enjoyed strong demand, particularly among collectors and foreign visitors interested in traditional Kashmiri handicrafts. Even today, Gujri says, most buyers are tourists who visit the Valley and appreciate the uniqueness of handmade art.
However, the veteran artisan believes the craft is facing serious challenges. The growing presence of machine-made and imitation wood carvings in the market has significantly affected traditional artisans.
“Many items in the market look similar but are not made by hand. They lack the skill and soul that real carving carries,” he said.
Another major concern, according to Gujri, is the declining interest among younger generations. The craft demands years of dedication and patience, yet offers limited financial returns.
“Young people today are not willing to take up this work. It requires a lot of effort and time, but the earnings are not very high,” he added.
Due to his age, Gujri now works only a few hours each day, but his passion for the craft remains unchanged. Each finished portrait stands as a testament to a lifetime devoted to art and tradition.
Stories like Gujri’s highlight the fragile state of many traditional crafts in Kashmir. Without support, recognition, and the involvement of younger artisans, such unique skills risk fading away with time.
For now, however, in a quiet corner of Fateh Kadal, the gentle sound of chisel against wood continues to echo—keeping alive Passion for the craft.
As traditional crafts across the Valley struggle to survive in the face of modern production methods, artisans like Abdul Aziz Gujri represent a fading yet invaluable heritage.