Episode 119 : Growing Up To Be - Creative, Local, Proud - The story of a Bukhara Artisan

Namaste! Welcome back to Kidacity! In this episode, I’m bringing you something a little different as part of Growing Up To Be!. Instead of a big-city profession or a high-profile career, we’re stepping into the quiet, narrow streets of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, to meet someone whose work carries centuries of history.

During my winter break travels through Central Asia, I stumbled upon a small studio that read Miniature Paintings. Inside, I met Mr. Mir Sharif, a third-generation papier-mâché artist and painter. In this episode, you’ll hear a short recorded conversation with him, where he talks about continuing his family’s legacy, the challenges of working with papier-mâché today, and why the Tree of Life is such an important symbol in his art.

Beyond the recording, I also share stories from our longer conversation—about patience, preserving local culture, and why not every meaningful career needs to be loud or glamorous. I connect his story to artisans from around the world, showing how similar legacies exist across cultures.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to truly carry forward tradition—or how everyday crafts shape identity—this episode is for you.

Until next week, goodbye, and Jai Hindh from Kidacity!

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