Preserving a Living Tradition Since Generations
Some stories are measured in years. Ours is measured in generations.
At Hussain Art Supply, we are proud to continue one of India's oldest surviving traditions of handmade papermaking. Rooted in the historic town of Sanganer, Jaipur, our family has dedicated generations to preserving the knowledge, patience, and craftsmanship required to create handmade papers and traditional art materials entirely by hand.
What began as a family craft has become a lifelong commitment—to protect a heritage that has survived changing empires, industrialisation, and the passage of time while continuing to serve artists around the world.
Our Story
For centuries, the Kagzi community of Sanganer, Jaipur, has preserved one of India's oldest traditions of handmade papermaking. At Hussain Art Supply, we are proud to continue this living heritage, creating traditional handmade papers and fine art materials for artists, calligraphers, conservators, miniature painters, and creative professionals around the world.
Our story is not simply about making paper. It is about preserving a craft that has survived kingdoms, changing empires, industrialisation, and the passage of time.
Today, every sheet we create carries forward the dedication, patience, and knowledge passed down through generations of our family. While our reach has grown internationally, our values remain rooted in the traditions of Sanganer, where craftsmanship has always come before speed.
The Heritage of the Kagzi Community
According to the history preserved within our family for generations, our ancestors journeyed from the Arab world through Bukhara before eventually settling in Rajasthan. During the reign of Raja Man Singh, the Kagzi families were invited to settle near Jaipur. Their first home was in Brahmpuri, but the lack of abundant clean water made traditional papermaking impossible.
The families later established themselves in Sanganer, where rivers once provided the pure water essential for handmade paper production. Over time, an entire neighbourhood became known as Kagzi Mohalla—the papermakers' quarter—where generations of artisans devoted their lives to preserving this remarkable craft.
For centuries, handmade paper produced by the Kagzi community was used for royal records, account books, miniature paintings, calligraphy, sacred manuscripts including the Holy Quran, and important official documents. As the craft flourished, Sanganer became recognised as one of North India's most respected centres for handmade paper.
Today, we proudly continue that legacy, preserving traditional techniques while sharing the artistry of Sanganer's handmade paper with creators around the world.
A Tradition That Nearly Disappeared
By the 1970s, the handmade paper industry had begun to change dramatically.
Machine-made paper and paperboard became faster and cheaper to produce. One by one, many traditional papermaking families were forced to leave behind the centuries-old craft that had defined their lives for generations. Later, many shifted entirely to paper cone manufacturing.
Within just a few decades, a tradition that had survived for hundreds of years was on the verge of disappearing.
Only a handful of families continued making paper entirely by hand.
Our family was one of them.
The Man Who Refused to Let the Tradition Die
At the heart of our story stands Mohammad Hussain Kagzi (1941–2025).
For him, handmade papermaking was never simply a profession—it was the legacy of his ancestors and a responsibility to future generations.
When traditional handmade paper became increasingly difficult to sell during the early 1990s, many believed the craft had reached its end. Workshops closed, and families who had practised the art for generations moved to other livelihoods.
Yet my grandfather refused to let the tradition disappear.
He often reminded our family that if we stopped making handmade paper, generations of knowledge would be lost forever.
A turning point came when a visitor searching for genuine handmade paper arrived in Kagzi Mohalla. After meeting my grandfather near the local Jama Masjid, he encouraged him to begin making paper once again and promised to support his work.
That single conversation rekindled hope.
With renewed determination, my grandfather restarted the workshop and dedicated himself to preserving a tradition that might otherwise have been lost.
Today, every handmade sheet we create stands as a tribute to his vision, perseverance, and unwavering belief that true craftsmanship should never disappear.
Building on Tradition
Working together, Mohammad Hussain Kagzi and my father, Zakir Hussain Kagzi, continued refining our handmade papers while remaining faithful to traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Their dedication led to years of experimentation with natural fibres, resulting in the development of papers made from Sun Hemp fibre—a remarkable material valued for its strength, durability, and archival quality.
Today, our handmade papers are trusted by artists, conservators, calligraphers, miniature painters, and collectors around the world. Every sheet reflects the same commitment to craftsmanship, patience, and quality that has guided our family for generations.
While our methods have evolved through careful research and experience, the heart of our work remains unchanged: to create authentic handmade papers that honour tradition while meeting the needs of today's artists.
A New Generation
In 2010, I, Danish Kagzi, joined our family workshop with a vision that extended beyond handmade paper.
While remaining committed to preserving our family's centuries-old papermaking tradition, I began exploring the forgotten materials that historically accompanied it. This journey led us to collaborate with experienced artisans who shared our passion for authenticity and craftsmanship.
Today, Hussain Art Supply brings together traditional papermakers, natural pigment makers, master brush makers, shell gold artisans, and miniature painting artists—each contributing generations of knowledge to their craft.
Rather than operating as a factory, we work closely with skilled independent craftsmen, supporting their expertise while ensuring every product reflects the highest standards of traditional workmanship.
Our mission is simple: to preserve these rare artistic traditions and make authentic handmade art materials accessible to artists around the world.
Our Craft
Every sheet of paper begins with carefully selected natural fibres and is formed entirely by hand using traditional techniques refined over generations.
Each sheet is individually formed in the vat, transferred onto woven grass moulds, pressed by hand, naturally dried, and carefully finished to achieve the character and quality that handmade paper is known for.
Our process is intentionally slow. We believe true craftsmanship cannot be rushed. By relying on skilled hands rather than industrial machinery, we create materials valued for their strength, texture, archival quality, and timeless beauty.
Beyond Handmade Paper
While handmade paper remains at the heart of our workshop, Hussain Art Supply has grown to offer a carefully curated collection of traditional art materials inspired by centuries of artistic practice.
Our collection includes:
• Handmade Papers
• Wasli Papers
• Natural Mineral & Earth Pigments
• Handmade Artist Brushes
• Shell Gold
• Burnishers
• Gum Arabic
• Traditional Miniature Painting Tools
Each product is selected or crafted with the same commitment to authenticity, quality, and traditional workmanship that defines our handmade papers.
Our Promise
We believe quality can never be rushed.
Every sheet of paper, every pigment, every brush, and every tool we create is made with patience, honesty, and deep respect for centuries of accumulated knowledge.
We are committed to preserving traditional craftsmanship—not as a relic of the past, but as a living practice that continues to inspire artists today.
Whether our materials are used for miniature painting, calligraphy, conservation, illustration, or contemporary art, our promise remains the same: to create authentic, handcrafted materials that artists can trust for generations to come.
In Memory of Mohammad Hussain Kagzi (1941–2025)
This story is dedicated to my grandfather, Mohammad Hussain Kagzi, whose unwavering determination ensured that one of India's oldest handmade papermaking traditions continues to live on.
His hands shaped thousands of sheets of paper.
His wisdom shaped our family.
His legacy lives on in every sheet we make.
Explore Our Collection
Discover handmade papers and traditional art materials crafted with generations of knowledge and care.