"Never thought I would get it": Padma Shri awardee Farooq Ahmad Mir on being recognised for Kani shawl art
Highlighting that making Kani shawls is ancestral work for him, which his children have also learnt about, Ahmad Mir mentioned to ANI, "This is our ancestral work... I was conferred with the National Award after they saw the shawl... I worked on calligraphy."
ANI
Jan 28, 2025 06:28 IST
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 28 (ANI): Legendary Kani shawl artisan, Farooq Ahmad Mir expressed his gratitude for getting his work recognised as he was conferred the Padma Shri award on Republic Day.
Highlighting that making Kani shawls is ancestral work for him, which his children have also learnt about, Ahmad Mir mentioned to ANI, "This is our ancestral work... I was conferred with the National Award after they saw the shawl... I worked on calligraphy."
He further mentioned that on one of his shawls he had written the 'doha' of Kabir too. "I wrote 'Doha' of Sant Kabir on it (kani shawl)... I never thought I would get a Padma Shri... My children also learn it. I guide them now," the Artisan said.
Farooq Ahmad Mir hails from Natipora area in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He has spent over three decades perfecting the art of weaving Kani Shawls, an intricate and unique craft that has been passed down through generations.
He was honoured the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional contribution to the preservation and promotion of the world-renowned Kani Shawl craft.
The Padma awards, among the country's highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
'Padma Vibhushan' is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; 'Padma Bhushan' for distinguished service of high order and 'Padma Shri' for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
These awards are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
This year's list of Padma awardees 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the awardees are 23 women, and the list features 10 distinguished individuals from the Foreigners, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories, as well as 13 posthumous awardees.
The recognition spans a wide array of fields, honouring exceptional contributions to the nation's progress and global standing. The awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. (ANI)
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