Kashmir-Made Papier Mache Bells, Santa Claus Missing At European Homes This Christmas

This Christmas, Kashmir-made papier mache decorative bells and miniatures of Santa Claus will not jingle and shimmer in European homes. The four-month-long security and communications lockdown post revocation of J&K’s special status resulted in the absence of foreign orders this year, according to traders.

Niyaz Ahmad Rizvi from the old city’s Zadibal area, a hub of papier-mache artisans, decided in August to continue working on dozens of miniature Christmas trees and emblazon Santa Claus motifs on small bells even as the Valley witnessed a shutdown and curfew outside. But there were no takers for his products this year.