High silver prices threaten Lucknow’s famed bridal nagra craft

In Lucknow, 55-year-old craftsman Azhar Hussain, who specializes in making silver nagra wedding shoes, has seen demand drop due to soaring silver prices. Once exclusive to Nawabs, these decorative shoes have become a wedding tradition embraced by Lucknow’s middle and upper classes, but the rising costs threaten this historic craft. Hussain uses traditional methods dating back to the 1600s, working in a busy market area. The increase in silver prices jeopardizes the continuation of this cultural and artisanal heritage.