Design students work hands-on with Kashmiri master artisans to create playable Santoors blending heritage, innovation, and material exploration.
Srinagar, November 16, 2025: Tulkul Arts and Media Collective successfully concluded a two-week Santoor-making studio at Anant National University, Ahmedabad, held from October 28 to November 14, 2025. This marks the first initiative of its kind in any design university, bringing the making of the Kashmiri Sufiana Mausiqi Santoor into a contemporary design curriculum.
Under the guidance of master artisans Manzoor-ul-Haq and Mohammad Amin Mir, students learned the complete Santoor-making process, from acoustic design to fine woodworking. As part of an experimental material study, they crafted fully playable Santoors using traditional Kashmiri walnut wood as well as locally sourced Ahmedabad wood, examining how material differences affect tone, resonance, and design performance.
The studio concluded with an exhibition and a live Santoor performance by the artisans, offering the Anant community an immersive cultural experience.
Dr. Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost Anant National University, appreciated the efforts of Tulkul Arts and Media Collective, noting that such collaborations enrich design education and strengthen the bridge between academia and India’s living craft traditions.
Artisans from Tulkul Arts expressed gratitude to Anant National University especially Dr. Vidyarthi, for supporting this meaningful cultural and academic exchange.
