Kashmir’s First Printmaking Studio Brings India’s Master Artists Home

Five of India’s most acclaimed printmakers will guide young artists, students, and teachers through the intricate processes of etching, woodcut, linocut, and lithography.

From Hyderabad, Padma Reddy and Rajeswara Rao will join Jayanti Rabadia and Surashree Rabadia from Vadodara, and Jayesh Shukla from Rajkot, Gujarat.

Their presence marks a milestone for the valley, where opportunities to work alongside master printmakers have been rare.

The venue is the newly established Kashmir Art and Artists Foundation (KAAF) Studio, nestled in the foothills of Harwan with a view of Dal Lake.

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Nasreen Mohsin, a printmaker with a Masters of Fine Arts from M.S. University, Baroda, and her husband, writer and filmmaker Fayaz Dilbar, conceived the studio as a space where local talent can grow without leaving home.

“Printmaking for me is a way to explore texture, pattern, and design,” Mohsin said, her hands tracing the outline of a freshly etched plate.“It’s a dialogue between ink, paper, and imagination. I want young artists in Kashmir to feel that same excitement here.”

For decades, Kashmiri artists seeking printmaking resources traveled to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Vadodara to find studio space, materials, and mentorship.

Even something as basic as metallic plates or specialized inks was hard to come by in Srinagar.

The new studio fills that gap, offering equipment, technical guidance, and a creative environment amid the valley’s serene landscapes.

The initiative goes beyond tools and techniques.

The KAAF’s art residency offers artists, writers, and creative professionals a retreat-like atmosphere, where work can unfold undisturbed against the backdrop of snow-dusted mountains and the glimmer of Dal Lake.

“This European-inspired residency encourages deep focus,” Dilbar said.“Artists can make prints, write, or experiment without daily distractions. We hope it will also foster cultural tourism in Kashmir.”

Fayaz Dilbar

The studio’s timing aligns with a larger resurgence of printmaking in India.

The modern Indian printmaking movement began in the early 20th century with Nandalal Bose and later flourished through institutions such as Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, and M.S. University, Baroda.

Today, artists across India blend traditional techniques with digital innovations, creating works that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in craft.

For Kashmir, the KAAF studio represents a rare convergence of tradition, skill, and innovation.

“Despite our valley’s rich artistic heritage, printmaking has remained underdeveloped,” Mohsin said.“Here, we can preserve those traditions and explore new possibilities, giving students and local artists access to the knowledge and mentorship they deserve.”

The foundation plans to invite national and international artists for workshops, providing exposure to multiple styles and practices.

Beyond fine arts, KAAF intends to host workshops in screenwriting, theater, and other creative disciplines, aiming to cultivate dialogue between artists, writers, and performers.

For young artists like Shireen Bhat, a student at a Srinagar college, the studio feels like a doorway into a world previously out of reach.

“I always dreamed of learning printmaking from experts,” she said, her eyes lighting up at the mention of the September workshop.“Now it’s happening here, in our own city.”

Mohsin and Dilbar hope the studio will become a beacon, attracting both aspiring and established artists, nurturing talent, and anchoring Kashmir firmly on the map of India’s vibrant art scene.

“We want this to be a community, a place where creativity is shared, celebrated, and expanded,” Dilbar said.

With the first workshop set to bring five master printmakers to the valley, the KAAF Studio promises a transformative experience. For Kashmir’s artists, the ink is barely dry, but the possibilities already feel limitless