Our Artisan Journey
Ali Mohammad – The Master Artisan Story
When I was a small child, I remember visiting the home of Ali Mohammad, an artisan who has been a part of our lives and our craft for the past forty-five years. My father called him, and in his familiar Kashmiri tone, Ali Mohammad greeted us, saying, “Wasta yeth chus.” Wasta—the one who teaches, the guardian of a craft, the guide through the delicate art of weaving and embroidery. In that simple phrase, I felt the warmth of a man who lived and breathed his art.
As I stepped into his room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the baskets overflowing with threads. There were shades of pink and sky blue, five subtle variations of each, and countless other colors, all organized with a care and precision that seemed almost sacred. In the midst of this riot of colors, Ali Mohammad was at work, his needle dancing over a shawl. I was mesmerized by the fluidity with which he changed threads, as if each color was an instrument in a symphony and he was the conductor.
My father and Ali Mohammad began discussing the color combinations, the rangbast, in that familiar Kashmiri lilt. Words like “aasmean”, “thoel”, and “zard” floated in the air, naming the colors as if giving life to the very threads themselves. I, a small boy, stood silently, hanging on every word, eager to understand this magical dialogue between master and mentor.
From the corner of the room, the radio played a song—a duet by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. In that moment, it felt like I was listening to three legends at once: Rafi, Lata, and Ali Mohammad—the greatest artisan I had ever known. The melodies intertwined with the colors, and for a child like me, the world seemed suspended in a delicate, vibrant harmony.
That day remains etched in my memory as if it happened yesterday, though it was thirty-six years ago. Many write about artisans in books and websites, but I am proud to say that I am part of the story itself. I have seen the magic, felt the dedication, and witnessed a craft passed down through generations—not as a distant admirer, but as a boy who once stood in awe before Ali Mohammad, the master of colors, threads, and timeless artistry.
