Srinagar artisan wins National award for hand-knotted carpets

Srinagar, Oct 15 (UNI) Master artisan Rafiq Ahmed Sofi of Eidgah Srinagar, has been conferred the National Award 2025 in the Hand-Knotted Carpet category by the union Ministry of Textiles. Officials said Sofi is the sole awardee from Jammu & Kashmir in this category for 2025, winning it for a carpet that features intricate floral motifs, traditional architectural patterns and calligraphic elements. A formal award ceremony is scheduled in the December in which amongst other winners, Sofi shall also be felicitated. Kashmir's hand-knotted carpets represent a centuries-old tradition that combines fine knotting techniques with distinctive design elements and taleem, for…