Ghulam Rasool Khan
A Srinagar master craftsman who revived the patchwork jamawar shawl and runs workshops of 300 artisans, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021.
Haji Ghulam Rasool Khan is a master craftsman from Srinagar, known around the world for reviving the art of patchwork jamawar shawls. He was named for the Padma Shri in 2021 in the field of art, from Jammu and Kashmir [1].
A family of artists
Khan was born on 15 March 1954 into a family of artists [2]. After school he trained under his father, Abdul Gaffar Khan, in the techniques of the jamawar, the richly patterned Kashmiri shawl [2]. He is skilled in its many forms, including sozni embroidery, kani weaving and patchwork [2].
Reviving patchwork
He brought back the patchwork jamawar, a craft that had been lost for centuries, and it drew attention to his work across the world [2]. He has created more than 150 new designs in sozni, kani and patchwork jamawars [2]. His work is carried out by more than 300 skilled artisans under 10 master craftsmen in 10 workshops [2].
Teaching
Khan has taken part in seminars, workshops and collaborations abroad, has given guest lectures at institutions in and around Delhi, and was specially invited to Sookmyung Women’s University in South Korea [2]. He received the Shilp Guru award in 2012 [2].
Sources
- [1] Padma Awards 2021: list of awardees — Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Accessed 24 October 2026.
- [2] Padma Awards 2021: citation for Ghulam Rasool Khan — Padma Awards, Government of India. Accessed 24 October 2026.
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