Mentored by JKEDI, Tahir Ahmad Kalwal keeps traditional craft alive through handmade winter items, develops infrastructure to cater to international demand
Srinagar, Jun 28: The whir of stitching machines and the faint smell of processed leather hang in the air at a quiet workshop in Soura, on the outskirts of Srinagar. This is where Tahir Ahmad Kalwal is quietly fighting to keep Kashmir’s age-old fur and leather craft from fading away.
Kalwal, a craftsman, entrepreneur and employer who has carved a niche for himself in the world of fur and leather products through his venture, Al Hamdan Crafts Private Ltd.
Known among traders and customers as “Kashmir’s fur and leather man,” Kalwal has spent years building a business that today supplies handcrafted products to markets across India. From fur jackets, leather coats and traditional caps to gloves, wallets, bags, rugs, mufflers, footwear and winter accessories, his products reflect a blend of Kashmiri craftsmanship and contemporary fashion.
Inside his unit in Soura, local artisans carefully cut, stitch and shape products that eventually find buyers in major cities across the country. For Kalwal, however, the business is about much more than commerce.
“This craft is part of our heritage. I want to preserve it while also creating employment for local youth,” he said.
His enterprise currently provides livelihood opportunities to several locals associated with production, tailoring and finishing work. He hopes to employ many more once the infrastructure of his unit is upgraded to meet international demands. Kalwal says the demand for Kashmiri fur and leather products continues to remain strong, especially during the winter season and festive periods.
“During Christmas Eve and peak winter months, the demand rises sharply,” Kalwal said, adding that customers from different parts of India place bulk orders for winter wear and decorative items.
While the domestic market continues to sustain his business, Kalwal has set his sights on international markets as well. Asked whether there is demand abroad, Tahir said the response has been encouraging and that he is now working to build the capacity needed to meet global standards.
“With the support and mentorship of J&K Entrepreneur Development Institute (J&K EDI) , I am trying my best to develop infrastructure so we can cater to international demand in the future,” he said.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. According to him, restrictions and bans related to the use of wild animal skins have affected traditional businesses linked to the sector. Yet he believes the industry still has vast untapped potential through ethical and legal alternatives such as sheep wool, processed leather and other permitted materials.
“There are difficulties, but there is still huge scope in sheep wool and other products. People continue to value handmade Kashmiri winter products,” Kalwal said.
Despite market competition and infrastructural constraints, Kalwal remains optimistic. His dream is to transform Al Hamdan Crafts into a recognised international brand rooted in Kashmiri identity and craftsmanship. At a time when many traditional crafts are struggling to survive under the pressure of machine-made products and changing consumer habits, entrepreneurs like Kalwal are attempting to give heritage industries a modern direction — one stitch at a time.
