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When former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpaee saw Sozni artisan Mehb
Beigh, a fifth generation Kashmiri Sozni arti
The lengthy conversation piqued the former PM’s curiosity.
Vajpayee inquired about the profound dedication that had bound Beigh to the craft of Sozni for decades.
“I replied: ‘Pyar Hazaron Karte Hain, Deewana Kisi Ko Kehtai Hain,’” Beigh said signifying that thousands of people love but only those who are mad in love turn into a passionate devotee.
However, it was the sight of Beigh’s hands, weathered by years of meticulous Sozni work that stirred Vajpayee’s soul.
A two-time National Award and three-time State Award winner, Beigh said, “When Vajpayee saw my fingers, he kissed them and broke into tears.”
Born in 1966, he started Sozni work when he was just seven-years-old.
Learning this cherished craft from his own family, he has spent five decades nurturing and safeguarding the exquisite tradition.
His steadfast commitment has not only illuminated the artistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir but also shone brightly on the national and international stage.
Venturing beyond the borders of his homeland, Beigh’s skills have graced countries far and wide, from the United States to Switzerland, Austral
In these foreign lands, he has been a humble ambassador of Sozni, generously sharing his expertise with craft enthusiasts and students.
When the craft experts and students during an exhibition from September 23 to 26, 2007, at New York saw Beigh’s live demonstration of Sozni craftsmanship, they were left in awe, astonished by the magical dance of his fingers that wove intricate designs with grace and finesse, seemingly defying the limits of human capability.
During the live demonstration, Beigh was extended an invitation to stay and teach at the design and craft schools in the US that spoke volumes of his expertise.
Yet, his heart remained with his roots and he politely turned down the offer.
“The people who have the first right on learning this craft are the youth of Kashmir,” he said with unwavering dedication.
The Sozni craftsmanship flows in Beigh’s veins, a legacy inherited from his family.
His grandfather, Ghulam Hassan Beigh, was honoured with the National Award by the 8th President of India, Ramaswamy Venkataraman. His father, Ali Muhammad Beigh, and his brother, Ghulam Muhammad Beigh, received the National Award from the 9th President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma.
His brother, Shabir Ali Beigh, carried this legacy to greater heights, earning the prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ Award at The Art in Action Awards from the Oxford University Press at London in 2007.
Tragically, Shabir passed away during an exhibition in Pune, leaving behind an unfinished masterpiece – a Pashmina shawl adorned with Sozni embroidery.
Mehboob Ali Beigh, in a touching tribute, undertook the task of completing his brother’s intricate work, a process that took seven years of painstaking effort.
“It was difficult to understand Shabir’s patterns. I first had to undo some part of his work. After I understood how he was creating the designs and patterns, it took me seven years to complete the shawl,” he said.
The threads that Beigh lovingly preserves in his workshop have withstood the test of time, spanning over 200 years and passing down through generations.
These threads tell a story of dedication, love, and a commitment to preserving a priceless tradition.
As Beigh gazes upon his son Saqib, an MBA graduate who willingly forsook a lucrative corporate career in Bangalore to join the family’s artisanal heritage, he sees a ray of hope for the continuation of Kashmiri arts and crafts.
His own eyes may have dimmed over the years, but it is his wealth of experience, spanning half a century, that enables him to continue creating Sozni embroidery on Kashmiri Pashmina shawls.
What truly lights up his eyes, however, is the sight of Saqib, poised to take the reins, making sure that not only does he secure his own future but also extend a helping hand to countless skilled artisans.
Together, they strive to safeguard the legacy, ensuring that the art of Sozni and the cultural heritage of Kashmir thrives.
In the delicate craftsmanship of Beigh’s life, there is indeed a luminous beacon of hope, illuminating the path forward for a tradition that bridges the past and the future, uniting generations in the tradition of Kashmiri art and love.
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