Early Beginnings: The Spark of Creativity
In the picturesque Soura area of Srinagar, a young woman named Sabreena Aliya has emerged as a beacon of artistic innovation. At 28, she has transformed her childhood passion for art into a professional endeavor that celebrates Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage through the delicate art of quilling.
With a master’s degree in Arabic, Sabreena’s journey into the world of paper art was anything but conventional. Her artistic exploration began in childhood, where she would spend hours creating various artistic items. However, the true turning point came when she accidentally discovered quilling through a mobile application—a moment that would change her creative trajectory forever.
The Art of Quilling: A Delicate Craft
Quilling is an intricate art form that involves carefully rolling, shaping and arranging paper strips to create complex and beautiful designs. For Sabreena, this art became more than just a hobby—it became a medium of cultural expression. Using paper strips with remarkable precision, she loops, curls and twists them into captivating designs that tell stories of Kashmiri tradition and beauty.
Her repertoire includes an impressive range of creations:
- Delicate flower panels
- Iconic representations of Kashmiri culture like Samovars and Shikaras
- Custom Nikah designs
- Personalized name plaques
- Lifelike replicas of traditional Kashmiri artifacts
Family Support: The Foundation of Her Success
Behind every successful artist is often a supportive family and Sabreena’s journey is no exception. Her father, a designer by profession, played a crucial role in her artistic development. He helped her build structural bases for her quilled pieces, providing technical support that transformed her passion into a viable profession.
“My father’s support allowed me to transform my passion into a thriving business,” Sabreena recalls, highlighting the importance of familial encouragement in pursuing unconventional career paths.
Professional Growth and Cultural Preservation
Recognizing the importance of preserving and promoting traditional crafts, Sabreena has taken significant steps to establish herself professionally. She has registered with the Handicrafts and Handlooms Department, positioning herself as a guardian of Kashmiri artistic traditions.
Beyond creating art, she has also embraced the role of an educator. Currently, she teaches quilling art to students at a local school, ensuring that this unique craft is passed down to the next generation. Her social media presence has further amplified her reach, attracting customers who appreciate the uniqueness of her handcrafted pieces.
Vision for the Future: Empowering Youth
Sabreena’s ultimate goal extends beyond personal success. She envisions establishing a dedicated training center with government support, aimed at providing opportunities for young Kashmiris to explore alternative career paths.
“Everyone knows there are fewer government jobs,” she says. “Youth must strive to do something unique to gain attention while working to keep Kashmir’s heritage alive.”
Challenges and Aspirations
Despite the growing recognition, Sabreena acknowledges the challenges of pursuing a non-traditional artistic profession in Kashmir. Her journey represents a powerful narrative of creativity, resilience, and cultural preservation.
By transforming paper strips into intricate artwork, she is not just creating beautiful designs but also weaving stories of Kashmiri culture, tradition and artistic innovation.
A Symbol of Creative Entrepreneurship
Sabreena Aliya’s story is more than an individual success—an example to power of passion, creativity and cultural pride. Through quilling, she demonstrates how traditional art forms can be reinvented, preserved, and celebrated in the modern world.
Her work serves as an inspiration for young artists in Kashmir and beyond, proving that with dedication, support, and creativity, one can turn a passion into a meaningful profession that honors cultural heritage.
