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Weaving and Embroidery
Shawls and carpets
are famous woven products of Kashmir. The shawls made with Pashimina fabric,
Ring shawl which is so fine that it can pass through a ring, Jamavar shawl
with its symphony of colour schemes depicting architectural and mythological figures interwoven with landscape
designs are popular. Carpet making is the national craft of Kashmir. It
was introduced here by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. Hand-woven pile carpets (kalins)
harmoniously depicted with floral and other designs are the most popular.
The namda, felt rug made from beaten wool embroidered all over, the gabba- a
floor covering, prepared from old woolens in a variety of forms and designs,
the chain-stitch rug, made from Hessian cloth and coarse wool, over which floral and other motifs are
worked are also famous.
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.
Silver and Copperware
Plain
and inlaid silverware of Kashmir are in great demand. The silverware
includes silver tea-sets, flower vases, toilet sets, scent chests,
ornamental picture-frames, cigarette-cases, tumblers, etc. Designs
include lilac, leaves of the chinar and the lotus etc.
The
Kashmiri artisan also produces excellent products of copper-ware consisting
mostly of cooking pots and samovars (tea-kettle of Russian origin)
and sundry articles for the household or the mantelpiece. There is a good
demand for lovely copper trays inlet into tables of carved walnut-wood.
Papier-mache
craft
Papier-mâché craft, peculiar to Kashmir, was also introduced into the Valley by the great monarch, Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, who has been aptly called the Akbar of
Kashmir. The products, beautifully painted over with ornamental patterns, comprise picture-frames, pen-cases, screens (which can view with the Chinese
counterparts), tables, tea-pots, writing sets, candle-sticks, handkerchief
and tie boxes, vases, stamp boxes and other utility goods whose need is now
fairly widespread. Green fields sloping towards the snow-capped mountains,
sparkling streams running over rounded rocks, shikaras and lotuses blooming
on the lakes, are the favourite papier-mâché patterns. The craftsmen have
introduced brass and metal-lining for the new style of papier-mâché goods
which makes them more durable and useful.
Wood
work and Carving Wood
carving is one of the best known cottage industries of Kashmir. Walnut and
chinar wood, are the main material for the wood-carving. Furniture
and toilet articles such as chairs, cabinets, writing-or dining- tables,
jewellery boxes and ornamental caskets are the popular products. Some of the
walnut wood products-cigar boxes and trays, table-tops, handkerchief and
collar boxes-are delicately carved. Floral designs of almost every
conceivable variety are made with great accuracy of detail in chased or
raise work.
Khatam-band is a speciality in Kashmir woodwork and comprises
ceilings of rooms, made from thin panels of pine wood, cut into geometrical
designs. Builders of houseboats have kept this old craft alive.The shrine of
Khwaja Naqshband, near the Jama Masjid of Srinagar, presents the best
example of this craft. The Kashmiri
carpentry and wicker-work industries are also notable.
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