Muhammad Hussain weaves Salman Khan's portrait on carpet

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Muhammad Hussain shows his carpet with Salman Khan's portrait
Muhammad Hussain shows his carpet with Salman Khan's portrait

 

Rizwan Shafi Wani/ Srinagar

Kashmiri fans of superstar Salman Khan have woven a portrait of the ‘Bhaijaan’ and are waiting for a call from him so that they can present it as a gift. The master craftsman is Muhammad Hussain Butt from the Fateh Kadal area of Srinagar He has been involved in the carpet weaving industry for over 40 years.

Speaking to Awaz-the Voice, Muhammad Hussain said, “I came up with the idea three years ago. I wanted to create an image of my idol Salman Khan through carpet weaving art because he is a good and virtuous man as well as a bodybuilder. He is also into helping the poor.”

Muhammad Hussain says the purpose behind his creation was is to restore the lost glory of Kashmir's carpet industry and also to focus on the plight of the artisans. "I want to give him (Salman Khan) this piece of art as a gift," he says. Although there has been no response from Salman Khan to his request for an appointment, he hopes he would be happy to see it and will call him. "I came up with the idea of making this in 2019," he says.

SALMAN GETS WOVEN ON CARPET

Muhammad Hussain displays carpet on which the portrait of Salman is woven

“Then came the lockdown followed by the domestic situation (removal of article 370 and the resultant clampdown) and stopped working on it. I resumed the work in October 2021. I had brought a poster of Salman Khan and used it as a prop for my work.” It is 2.9 feet long and 2.46 feet wide. It is made of pure silk and the image of Salman Khan is visible on both sides. I worked on it for 5 to 6 hours a day and it took me 6 months to complete it. Muhammad Hussain has created this portrait at his own expense showing his love for Salman Khan.

"There is no price for such things," he says. Although it took a lot of hard work to make it, I made it with my heart. I have prepared it for them with love. It cannot be measured in money. Muhammad Hussain, 51, is a fan of Salman Khan. While talking to Awaz-the Voice, he was busy watching his idol Salman Khan's film. Muhammad Hussain said, "Salman Khan is my favorite actor. I like them very much. I have seen each one of his films. Even now I am watching his movie Wanted. Muhammad Hussain has used more than 45 colors in his artwork.

SALMAN AND KASHMIRI CARPET

Muhammad Hussain with his coveted carpet

He says he used 10 colors for Salman’s hair. He used more than 5 kg of silk in 50 colours for the portrait. Of these only 10 colors are used to sketch the head. It takes a lot of time to get a complete color combination and then create the right color design from this combination. Artisans like Muhammad Hussain Butt are trying their best to keep this industry in the limelight at a time when it seems to have lost its glory.

Mohammad Hussain said, "I have been associated with this art for the last four decades. Until a few years ago we were earning well; today I am only earning Rs 100 to 150 daily. My two sons wanted to continue the tradition but in this age of inflation, how would one make ends meet.” He didn’t encourage them. A Kashmir-based journalist Meraj Mir was the first to share a picture of Mohammad Hussain’s work on Twitter and it went viral.

ALSO READ: Shibani Dandekar adds Akhtar to her last name