Introduction Many intellectuals call Kashmir a heaven on earth. It's called so not only for its sceninc beauty but for delicate arts and crafts too. The diverse
articles ranging from woolen textiles of
fleecy soft texture of matchless excellence
in weaving, hand-woven carpets of finest
warp and weft, to the exquisite designs
worked on papier-mache, wood work, silverware,
etc. are the products of unique craftsmanship.
Shawls
A unique position among Kashmir textiles
is held by the celebrated shawl known as
Pashimina shawl. The fabric of this shawl
is extracted from the smooth fleecy wool
of Kel goat by the handloom artisans who
are usually womenfolk. Equally popular is
the celebrated 'ring shawl'. The fabric
of this particular shawl is so sleek and
smooth that it can pass effortlessly through
a ring and hence the name. Rare and different
from the others is the Jamavar shawl. In
this case, the threads of the warp and weft
are dyed before weaving. The peculiar charm
of this famous shawl is derived from the
symphony of color schemes depicting architectural
and mythological figures interwoven with
landscape designs. A high-class shawl is expected to have
the designs worked evenly on both sides.
The price of a pashmina shawl may range
anywhere from a few hundred rupees to thousands
of rupees, depending upon the craftsmanship
and the time factor involved in its creation.
Carpets
The gabba- a unique type of floor covering,
prepared from old woolens in a variety of
forms and designs- come next to the namda
industry, and its manufacture is localised
at Anantnag (Islamabad). Baramulla specialises
in printed gabbas.
The chain-stitch rung, which resembles
the gabba carpet, is also manufactured economically,
as the base is Hessian cloth and coarse
wool, over which floral and other motifs
are worked. The flora and fauna of different
lands-Kashmir, Central Asia and Iran are
depicted on the carpets of Kashmir in a
harmony symbolic of traditional synthesis
of Kashmir's diverse cults and cultures.
 Embroidery
The embroidery of Kashmir, called kasida,
is world-famous. Varied, rich in colour,
elaborate in detail and exquisite in execution,
the kasida patterns are freely drawn by
the naqqash mostly from memory. The finest
kasida work, particularly embroidered on
shawls or saris, has no 'wrong' side.
The chain-stitch is also used for the making
of a large number of miscellaneous articles
such as bags, screens and cushion covers. |
