Crafts of Kashmir

Crafts of Kashmir from apparel to decor, are handcrafted in very traditional and age old technique. Explore the wonderful world of craft in the valley.

The craft comprises of many charming handmade products. Ranging from the objects of home décor, apparel and much more. Among apparel, the shawl weaving takes the first place undoubtedly. However large may be the contribution from different states, remains for ages, and the king of Indian shawl weaving. Bringing to the world the unsurpassed softness of Pashmina and toosh, popularly known as cashmere and the intricacies of the Jamawar style, the master weavers of have certainly proved their unmatched skill. Shawls in Pashmina and toosh are all hand woven since the fragility of the yarn does not allow the use of a machine loom. Toosh is however now banned by the Government of India as it involved indiscriminate killing of the chiru antelope. Jamawar is another woven splendor of the craftsmen. Here the task is further complicated as the designs on these shawls are realized not by embroidery but by the simultaneous weaving with wool shuttles of different colors. These shuttles known as 'kaani' in the local language gives 'Jamawar' another name-'kaani shawl'.

Another famous type of shawl from is the embroidered shawl. Embroidery of speaks in volume of the talent and dedicated artwork of its craftsmen. In the valley embroiders often draw inspirations from the beautiful nature around.

The specialty of the region, the Pashmina shawls are still the best and the most elegant looking. The procurement for its raw material is restricted to its neighboring mountains and hence no other region can think of encroaching on Kashmir's monopoly on Pashmina. The soft wool yarn known as Pashmina is finer than sheep's wool. It is the delicate and tender fleece of a particular goat breed known as Capra Hicus and is found in the high altitude pastures of central Asia. It is also referred to as Pashm meaning 'wool' in Urdu and from this word is derived the name of the shawl 'Pashmina'. This luxurious fiber grows under the coarse shaggy outer coat of this domestic goat clan. To clean this fleece it takes a long time and much effort. It is washed and combed several times until the desired softness is acquired.

Another apparel influenced by the urban demand and designing is the Kashmir coats for women. The possibility of the design coming all the way from cannot be completely ruled out as well, as Kashmir was much connected with the European fashion because of its unmatched shawl weaving talents. And in turn was quite influenced by the European fashion for a long time. As a result Kashmir has evolved a blend of the two cultures. These coats have a very modern cut accompanied by traditional Kashmir embroidery. These exquisite embroidered coats are perfect formal wears for all light winter and go well with pants, skirts, wrap-around, pajamas, salwaar-kurtas and saris.

Apart from the beautiful apparels, the Kashmir craft includes many charming handmade furnishing products. The products of home décor include rugs and carpets, cushion covers, bedspreads and the fabulous table linen. The cushion covers of Kashmir are made of coarse handloom cotton in shades of white and off white. They have a flap cover at the back. The embroidery on these cushion covers is done in chain stitch all over.

Moving from furnishing to decoration, Papier-mache is one of the most famous crafts traditions of the valley. In the year 1398 when was invaded by Tamur Lane. Sultan Sikander sent his son to pay tribute to the invader as they made an agreement of alliance. Tamur Lane betrayed the agreement of his alliance with the Sultan and made his son Shahi Khan a hostage in Samarkhand for seven years. Many craftsmen from Central Asia and Persia had accompanied Tamur Lane to and were placed in Samarkhand as well. There this young dynamic prince saw this strange craft made of paper pulp. He learnt the art and later when he became the king known as Zain-ul-Abadin after his father's death, he spread this art among the craftsmen of his region