Two quintessential handicrafts from Kashmir- numdha and gabba- not matching-up with the luxurious nature of the high-end carpet, yet reflecting rich culture and history of the Valley, have recently received a new lease of life. On Saturday, these dying members of the carpet family, burdened by 12 percent Goods and Services Tax since last one year, were brought in the 5 percent tax bracket by the 28th GST council meeting held in New Delhi.
Before the implementation of GST regime last year, all the Kashmir crafts and dry fruits were exempted from any taxes.
Announcement of tax rate cut was somewhat welcomed by artisans and entrepreneurs associated with the two unique crafts, who, however, said “only a complete roll-back of GST can help to improve marketability of the numdha and gabba”.
Gabba, a recycled byproduct made from old woolen blankets which are up-cycled into a crafty piece of art has been on the death-bed as its demand has touched the lowest ebb. Artisans say these woolen blankets washed, dyed and stitched together to form a base on which the embroidery is crafted is somewhat used in the valley but has almost disappeared from export markets.
Numdha, a traditional felted Kashmir carpet, made by rolling and pressing wool by the application of moisture has offlate also witnessed a drop in demand by almost 50 percent, says Arifa Jan, a Sekidafar-based woman entrepreneur, popular for taking up the task of revival of numdha.
“Traditionally, Kashmiri drawing rooms would be furnished with numdhas in winters creating huge local demand besides it was having a good export market. But that demand died down and exports dwindled in past two decades,” says Jan who has almost three dozen workers employed at her unit. “GST proved to be the final nail in the coffin as numdha exporters and traders had almost stopped placing orders with whatever few artisans are left in this craft. We are happy with the tax reduction but hope handicrafts are made GST-free,” Jan says.
According to Arifa, the technicalities connected with GST are the biggest hurdle for artisans of numdha, a craft that is quite niche and needs to be preserved, she adds. Jan says being slapped penalties in case of missing GST deadlines are issues bothering the artisans. “From day one of its implementation we have been unsure of the procedures of the GST. Small artisans have been the worst affected as they have to take out time and run around after chartered accountants. This tax regime has made it difficult as an artisans now needs lot more capital to run the business since GST payments are to be made in advance,” says Jan.
Parvez Bhat, whose several generations are known for being counted among reputed Srinagar-based families associated with numdha trade for several decades says the GST reduction although is a “step too little, too late” but can help to provide a boost to efforts of youngsters such as Arifa Jan to revive numdha.
“The 12 percent GST was proving to be an added burden on artisans and making the numdha further uncompetitive in the Kashmir art showrooms and even the door-to-door vendors have not been finding any takers for it,” says Bhat, who is also president of Artisans Rehabilitation Forum.
Recounting the glorious past of the numdha and gabba trade and the upheaval these crafts witnessed, Bhat says reputed Srinagar-based families used to be involved in the numdha trade which took a hit as the situation in the Valley deteriorated in 1990s. “Turmoil in 1990s took a hit on both these crafts but the successive governments made efforts to revive them. I remember in my younger days, Safa Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Nawa Kadal bridges used to be dotted with numdhas put out for drying in the sun. During the 90’s, introduction of cotton daris from outside states replaced numdha in export markets especially in UK, Europe and South East Asia. Poor marketing and lack of research and development of design, production has taken the numdha craft on the verge of extinction,” says Bhat. “The gabba is now mostly sold locally and its export market is totally down. We hope innovation from young entrepreneurs can help to revive these crafts,” says Bhat.