Walnut wood a fading rage in AJK

MUZAFFARABAD: The scenic valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are rich with natural resources. Amongst these are walnuts.

While the fruit is widely enjoyed and some even derive oils from it, locals in AJK utilise the fruit’s tree to make traditional furniture as well, forming a mini-industry.



Abdur Rashid has spent nearly 60 years of his life working and carving furniture out of walnut tree trunks in the AJK capital.

He is among the remaining few who are struggling to keep the hundreds of years old craft alive.

“My father had migrated from Indian Occupied Kashmir in 1947 who, along with other artisans, introduced this industry in Muzaffarabad,” Rashid recalls, adding that these artisans mostly hailed from Srinagar and Jammu and knew the importance of their craft.

“Carving walnut wood is in my blood,” Rashid says.

The 70-year-old artisan still works for over 10 hours every day to ensure that the craft remains alive, carving out Chinar leaves on chairs and beds made of the wood.

“It [carving walnut wood] is the identification of my forefathers and my Kashmir,” the artisan said, adding, “When you forget your art, language and culture nobody would accept you.”

Another craftsman Majeed explained how they carve dried walnut wood to make different decorative items.

“We make trays, dry fruit bowls, tissue paper boxes and table lamps,” Majeed said, adding that they make everything from chairs, tables, windows, doors, clocks, jewellery boxes, bookcases and chest of drawers.



“Decoration items inscribed with Quranic verses are in demand since customers hang them on the walls of their homes,” the craftsman said, explaining that carved old walnut wood looks better than other types of wood, hence its demand.

Though the styles are not in vogue anymore, a lot of people still consider it tradition to gift furniture made out of walnut wood on weddings.



“During the wedding season, which is almost at its peak these days in AJK, people place their orders for walnut furniture months in advance,” said Dr Bushra Shams. Dr Shams is a medical professional,and also runs a walnut wood furniture store in Muzaffarabad.

“Walnut [wood] items are suitable for any décor owing to their durability, aesthetic look, strength, and resistance to humid and dry climate,” Dr Shams said while explaining the main qualities of the furniture.

However, Rashid lamented that the government no longer has any interest in the industry.

“The government should patronise us but the fact is that they never took this industry seriously to help it flourish,” he added.



Despite the fact that the AJK Industries Department had earmarked millions of rupees for it, Rashid questions whether any of it has trickled down to the people who are directly involved in making and selling the furniture.

“Where does the money go?” Rashid asked, suggesting that if the funds were properly utilised then Muzaffarabad would have become a hub for walnut furniture, like Chiniot.

But the fact is that changing tastes over time have also seen the demand for the furniture dwindle. The old but passionate Rashid admits that his main customers, for the furniture and other items made from walnut wood, are the Kashmiri families who had migrated from Srinagar and settled in Lahore and other cities of Pakistan.

Few locals opt for it even though presenting items carved out of walnut wood to guests and tourists is considered to be a prestigious gift.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2017.