Bandipora, January 19,2026-In the quiet Aragam village of Bandipora, where tradition once risked fading into silence, a gentle revival is taking place—one stitch at a time. Tribal embroidery, long confined to memory, has found new life through the determined efforts of Shahida Khanum, a woman who has transformed forgotten patterns into living history.
Founder of the Kashmir Tribal Art Society, Shahida’s journey began not with resources or recognition, but with curiosity and resolve. Her vision took shape in 2016 after attending the Bal Rang cultural event in Madhya Pradesh, where the vibrant attire of tribal communities from across India stood out in proud continuity.
“I saw that people from other states had such distinct cultures and attire that remained completely intact,” Shahida recalls. “When I looked at our own group, only our traditional cap, the Lashka, remained a common, recognisable link to our roots.”
That realization sparked a promise—Bandipora’s tribal identity would not be allowed to disappear.
Back in Kashmir, Shahida began documenting oral histories by visiting tribal elders and listening closely as they described traditional clothing, ornaments, and embroidery styles worn by earlier generations. Drawing from these accounts, she painstakingly recreated garments that had not been seen in daily life for decades. Beaded ornaments were shaped by hand, and old silver trinkets were gathered from ancestral homes, restoring craftsmanship once on the brink of extinction.
In December 2022, Shahida opened a modest workspace for sewing and fabric design in Aragam. Within four weeks, nearly 50 young women joined—attracted not only by skill training, but by a deeper connection to their heritage. Over time, the initiative expanded, and nearly 500 women have since passed through her centres, gaining livelihood skills while reconnecting with their cultural roots.
Today, Shahida’s work operates through three main hubs in Quilmuqam, Turkpora, and Mantrigam, providing sustainable income opportunities for local women while safeguarding tribal traditions.
Her growing collection of traditional dresses, ornaments, and historical artefacts drew attention on social media and marked a turning point when noted media personality Wahid Rafiq visited the centre. “This isn’t just a room for making things,” he remarked. “It’s memory given shape.” The comment inspired the establishment of an in-house tribal museum, now a living archive of Bandipora’s tribal life.
National recognition followed when Shahida was invited to present her designs at Chashme Shahi before President Droupadi Murmu. “Our aim was to share our tradition directly with the nation’s leader,” she said, describing the moment as a milestone for the community.
Despite the challenges of balancing family responsibilities, Shahida credits the support of her family, village elders, and cultural scholars like Dr Javed Rahi, a prominent voice in Gojri heritage, for sustaining her efforts.
Sitting inside her museum today, Shahida offers simple advice to the younger generation: “Do something no one else has done. Something unique that carries its own name. Work with honesty—for yourself and for your family.”
Through quiet dedication and careful stitches, Shahida Khanum has ensured that Kashmir’s tribal heritage does not remain confined to memory, but continues to live, wear, and speak through its people.
