The Kashmir has a decade-old rich tradition of creativity and art and is one of the most beautiful destinations of India. Kashmir boasts a rich heritage of art and craft. The popularity of Kashmir's art and craft is very high. The art of Kashmir comprises works of Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic art, including sculpture, painting, and calligraphy loaned from collections in the U.S., Europe, and India.
Kashmir is considered to be a treasure trove of arts and crafts. Kashmiri artists are producing some intricate and interesting crafts and artworks. The artistry of Kashmir is famous all over India.
The artisan of Kashmir are well known for their craftsmanship world over be it wood carving, shawls, carpets, Papiermache or any other craft Kashmiris have no parallels in this industry when it comes to authentic Kashmiri handicrafts.
paper mache is a unique craft which involves the use of paper pulp for creating beautiful artifacts painted by expert craftsmen in lefelike images of Kingfishers, maple leaves and other motifs. Elements of nature mostly feature in the designs. Flowers, birds and a variety of animals appear on these patterns. Historical figures as well hunting and battle scenes are also seen, which are inspired from the miniature paintings. papier-mache is the art of naqashi or the painting of various floral, geometrical and figurative designs and patterns on the various items covered with lacquer.
Papier-mache, today, has become highly stylized and appealing by using real gold and silver paint and by adding intricate decorations. the designs and decorations of the Kashmiri Papier-mache, usually in the form of flowers and birds, have a strong Persian flavor. Some items like bowls and vases are lined with brass, while on special orders boxes and other items are ornamented with gold and silver leaves and depict beautiful landscapes and objects like a house boat, that form an inseparable part of Kashmiri lifestyle.
The Papier-mache object produced in Kashmir today varies from Christmas ornaments to coasters and include boxes of every imaginable size and shape. The style of papier-mache painting has also been applied on cookie boxes, steel trays and glasses and similar items of daily use. The ingenious papier-mache artisans of Kashmir transform a variety of utility articles into rare art pieces.
These skills are passing from generation to generation. Kashmiri craftsman have tried to maintain the culture of papier-mache and to this day it is still being made by hand in small home shops where families gather together and work on it and bring these beautiful creations to the World.
Tilla Embroidery is one of the most celebrated kashmiri handicrafts. it is done on women garment to give a royal look. Tilla is a traditional art of Kashmir. it is done with the help of silver or gold threads. Tilla designs are done on lower neck, cuffs and lower border of the garment. Earlier tilla work was done on pherans now its done on various garments like suits, shawls and sarees. It takes almost a month to complete Tilla Embroidery on one pheran.The craft is essentially an embroidery done using a thread of silver or gold on needle point. the classical ornamentation has been a taste of royalty since times immemorial and has been chosen by the women of elite across centuries.
Pottery is an ancient art and craft in our Kashmir valley. The roots of pottery can be traced by the excavations at Burzhama, Mohenjodaro, Sindh and various other sites. The posts are made of clay or mud of earth . The art of Pottery is our cultural Heritage. Many people are connected with this art and earn their livelihood from it. Earthen pots are found in many marketplaces and homes even now, though in a smaller number.
'Tambaknaare' and 'Note' are famous Kashmiri musical instruments made by potters. Kangris, toys, flower vases and decorative items, the Kashmiri hubble and bubble, the incense pots, water pots, milk pots, piggy banks, etc, are still in great demand. The traditional storing of water in earthen pots is still prevelant in rural areas of the valley. Earthen posts and other objects of art made of clay are commonly seen at places of pilgrimage during melas and other festive occasions. Tourists also evince much interest in them. Pottery is integral to Kashmiri heritage and an important handicraft. Machines cannot match handicrafts, so we cannot totally write off this important kashmiri art rom our social and cultural fabric.
The art and handicraft of pottery is prevelent all over the valley. Many mohallas of Srinagar and other villages are named after this craft, like Kralwari, Kralateeng, Kralapora, Kralyar, and several Kumar Mohallas. Pottery is integral to Kashmir's heritage.
The kashmiri copperware is an ancient artwork. The floral, stylized, geometric, keaf and even calligraphic motifs that are engraved or embossed on copper or brass. Mostly cooking pots, samovars and other sundry articles are crafted upon. These articles are then electroplated. The copperware objects in kashmir are used for dailyware household items as well as for decorative purpose.
The art of casting copperware and brassware in kashmir had floursished from years. The Kashmiri brassware is noted all over the world for good quality and design. The brassware objects in Kashmir ranged from household, decoratibe and ceremonial items. They comprise mostly cooking pots and sundry articles for the household. However, the most celebrated item is samvars.
The Kashmiri craftsman also produces excellent products of copper-ware consisting mostly of cooking pots and samovars and sundry articles for the household or the mantelpieces, they are admiringly adapted for electroplating. There is a good demand for beautiful copper trays inlet into tables of carved walnut-wood, there are floral, stylized, geometric, leaf and even calligraphic motifs that are engraved or embossed on copper or brass.
The age old art of crafting copperware is deep rooted in Kashmir's culture. copper-ware requires ample amount of time and labour and making process is slow and difficult. The articles come with exceptional types of naqashi and nice. some are just plain without any ornamentaton and are for regular use. the embellished ones are used on special events and are held as collectibles. The motifs are formed the usage of a combination of strategies like repousse, engraving of geometrical calligraphic motifs locally referred to Kandkari, which is an different craft itself is utilized in copperware and kept alive by a few grasp smiths till nowadays. Oxidizing the engraved portions similarly highlights the styles. The kind of naqashi varies for the product to be provided at one of a kind rate points. The most common motifs used on copperware had been Chinar (maple leaf), Badam (almond or the paisley) and Mehrab (arch).
more about copperware art in kashmir
The Kashmiri Shawl is the most cherished acquisition of a lady and is believed to be indigenous to Kashmir. By way of technique, it can be categorized into two main types -- the loom-woven Kani Shawl and the needle embroidered sozini shawl. These shawls are much in demand during winter owing to their warmth, colour(s), texture(s), design(s) and softness. Kashmiri artisans depict the natural bounty of the valley on the shawl through embroidered floral motifs. The raw materials mainly used are raffal and pashmina fabrics.
The kani shawl is a length of intricately woven material used as a wrap around the body. It is widely known as a jamawar. Kings and courtiers are supposed to have bought this by the yard (war) and wore it as a gown or robe (jama ). Such a shawl is in a class by itself, and possesses an extremely fine texture. Kani is the little wooden stick used as a spoon to weave this wonder, known colloquially as a kani shawl. Sometimes as many as 50 kanis are used with different coloured threads for single weft reflecting the intricacy of design. The fine texture and the complex designs mean that artisans can seldom weave more than an inch a day. Kanihama, a village in the western part of Kashmir, has a monopoly over the weave and the trade in kani shawls.
more about shawl weaving in Kahsmir
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