: Kashmir Designer Turns Waste Paper from Colleges, Offices to Speakers, Furniture More #IndiaNEWS #Handicrafts When Burhan ud din Khateeb graduated from the National Institute of Design-Ahmedabad,

Kashmir Designer Turns Waste Paper from Colleges, Offices to Speakers, Furniture More #IndiaNEWS #Handicrafts
When Burhan ud din Khateeb graduated from the National Institute of Design-Ahmedabad, unlike his fellow graduates, he decided not to take up a job in a big corporation. Pained by the declining craftsmanship in his hometown Kashmir, the 30-year-old decided to move back home and create something that helps the artists and craftsmen of his homeland.

Burhan ud din Khateeb, co-founder of Studio Kilab

“I could have worked in some MNC or some mainstream company, but then I thought to myself that if I’m not going to go there and do something myself, how can I expect anyone else to come in to help us?�? he recalls in conversation with The Better India.

After returning to Kashmir, Burhan started Studio Kilab, short for Kashmir Innovation Lab in Srinagar, a design studio aimed at addressing the issue of the blurring crafts industry in the valley by using sustainable and biodegradable materials.

Bags, home decor, furniture, chicken coops, or home utility — you name it. Burhan has found a way to amalgamate traditional Kashmiri craftsmanship with contemporary design while giving it a sustainable spin. They use materials like wood, paper mache, willow wicker to make the products greener and reduce their carbon footprint.

Where modern design meets sustainability

While Burhan was still at university, he started questioning if there were ways to make manufacturing of designs more sustainable and eco-friendly, leaving the least amount of negative impact on the environment.

This is when he came across Singgih Kartono, a designer from Indonesia.

“He studied in one of the best universities, but he went to his village to see how he can utilise local materials and craftsmanship to design products. This inspired me a lot, because people from Kashmir have lots of underutilised skills. �? he says. “Moreover, the region has so much to offer in terms of materials. Why are people not using them? This thought really bugged me. �?

He then visited Kartono to understand how design can be used to create livelihoods and make sustainable designs more practical.

“I started to look into what the government is doing for the crafts industry, or if there are other companies doing similar projects here. I found out that most of these organisations come, do a few projects, and leave. They don’t have any long-term plans,�? he explains.

After doing some projects for Ishfaq Mir, who then had a traditional crafts family business, they both co-founded Studio Kilab. Burhan says he has travelled the world and understands the value sustainable designs can bring to the table.