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A Study On The Different Delightful Craft Work In Kashmir

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 The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention
Volume 2 issue 04 2015 page no.1213-1215 ISSN: 2349-2031
Available Online At: http://valleyinternational.net/index.php/our-jou/theijsshi
A Study On The Different Delightful Craft Work In Kashmir
Towseef Mohi Ud Din
Research Scholar in Economics, Vikram University Ujjain (M.P)
Email: [email protected]
Abstract: The wonderful craftsmanship that go forward in the lap of neat as a new pin beauty got
perfect over the centuries through nimble be on pins and needles of artisans, evolve into a novel blend
of workable economic activity and rich cultural heritage, exist it Carpet Weaving, Kani Shawl Making,
Papier Mache Work, Khatamband, Wood Carving, Phulkari Work, Thangka Painting, Namda Making,
Basoli Painting or other craft, the master skills of legendary local hands remain incomparable
throughout the world.
Keywords: Handicraft, different crafts, artisans

1. Introduction work, various search engines and primary survey

Art and craft of Kashmir are as the fragrance of are also used.
flower, which is so much attractive like our craft 4. Main thought
also attract the consumers from world. Our artists
and craftsmen found an unmatched expression Different crafts of Kashmir:
from our impressive culture through the Kani shawl
appreciated legacy of handicrafts. Historically the An artistic majesty woven into a shawl, kani
fame and fortune of these handicrafts has been shawls are most exquisite and famous shawls from
legendary surmounting the barriers imposed by Kashmir. Craftsman weaves the shawls with
our geography and amazing the masses across the special wooden needles called kanis in Kashmiri.
world. Prized around the globe, these crafts weave With highly specialized technique, making of kani
a magical mix of motifs and imagery that mirrors shawl takes at least a year or two depending on
the diverse cultural and geographical wall-hanging the design. The shawls have been a favorite of
of Kashmir. Mughal emperors and owing to their extraordinary
beauty, skill and time involved these shawls are
2. Objectives
exclusive as well as expensive.
 To analyze the different craft of
Papier machie
Kashmir valley
Papier machie derived from French word meaning
3. Methodology “chewed paper” papier machie involves composite
The data for the present study has been collected material consisting of paper pulp, sometimes
from secondary sources. Government of Jammu reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive,
and Kashmir digest of statistics, books, journals, such as glue starch or wallpaper past. Through this
newspapers, published and unpublished research decorative art local craftsmen transform a verity
of utility articles into rare art pieces. The process
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comprises of two phases, the sakhtsazi (making lends a special quality the wheat and the straw
the object) and the naqashi (painting the surface). which is extraordinary smooth and lustrous. It is
used to weave round an oblong mats, containers
Khatamband and trays of various kinds with a unique finish.
A rare and incredibility wonderful specialty of
Kandkari copperware
wood work, Khatamband is an art of making
ceiling. The crafts men fit small pieces of wood Kandkari is an exclusive craft in copperware that
(preferably walnut or deodar wood) in geometrical master smiths of Kashmir have kept alive from
pattern without using of nails. The ceiling when centuries; the craftsmen engrave copper utensils
completed presents exquisite design and can with geometrical and calligraphic motifs. The
easily be disassembled and reassembled according designs on copper ware items are unique and
to the requirement. attractive. The most famous product of Kandkari
work is “Kashmir Samovar”, a kettle used to
Carpet weaving prepare Kehwa and Nun Chai. The Kandkari work
Carpet involves the most intricate forms of is done upon other items like Bowls, Frames,
weaving. Weaving almost one million knots per Flower Vases, Tea Sets and Scent Chests.
square meter a craftsman turns a silk carpet into a
marvelous piece of art. Famous throughout the Thangka painting
world, carpet weaving in Kashmir has been passed Practiced in Ladakh thangka is a traditional
and perfected through generations. Carpets are Himalayan Buddhist scroll painting which depicts
woven on wooden looms across rural and urban the life of Buddha, various influential lamas and
Kashmir. A carpet is completed in several months deities, the wheel of life and bodhisattvas. An
or years depending on the density and size. Raw artist undergoes rigorous spiritual and artistic
materials used are wool, silk and mercerized training to learn the craft. Paintings are made on
cotton. white cloth plastered with local clay which is
found in abundance in village spituk and places
Wood carving like lamayuru. Thangka is a religious art and is
Traditionally woodcarving has been aesthetically used as meditation tool to help bring one further
vibrant art form in Kashmir. Kashmir has some of toward the path of enlightenment.
the best walnut wood carving done anywhere in
the world. Craftsmen etch floral or other patterns Tilla work
through a dexterous use of mallet and chisel on A style of embroidery which involves the use of
wood. Wood carving is done on a verity of objects gold or silver zari (tilla) thread, tilla work is a
ranging from furniture (tables, chairs, writing traditional Kashmiri craft used to embellish
desks, dining tables etc.) to articles of personal pherans and shawls but now can be seen on saris,
use like jewellery boxes, photo frames and various shalwar kameez and other garments. Artisans
other articles used for interior decoration. painstakingly embellish the fabric with designs
made by silver or gold thread secured by cotton
Kishtwar straw work “binna” thread. The designs can be vary from traditional
Pursued as a leisure time activity by women, straw intricate patterns requiring a lot of time to finish to
work is done in different parts of Jammu. But the simpler ones which require less thread and labour.
straw craft binna of Kishtwar is considered to be The most commonly used motifs are the Pamposh
the best. The mineral rich brown soil of Kishtwar (Lotus), Chinar, Badam, (Almond). A bride’s

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trousseau is considered incomplete without a tilla 5. Conclusion

pheran. There is a requirement to enhance the quality and
Lachka quantity of the production to get more income and
Lachka is a tailored cap worn by the Gujjar give a positive impact to economy. There is no
women and children. It is closely fitted and has a doubt that handicraft industry are doing very well
flap extending down to the neck at the back. and that is significantly affecting our economy if
Artisans embroider the lachkas in cotton thread in we want to boost our economy more there will be
bright colours with designs mostly in geometric a requirement of latest machines and new
shapes like circles, triangles and wave-like lines. technology for running this industries. As part of
The finely embroidered cap is also decorated with improvement in the production, it will help to
coins, buttons, amulets, shells and beads. create more employment opportunities for persons
looking for job directly or indirectly. And also
Kanger
there is a requirement to bring numerous
No family in Kashmir can get over the winter
improvements in the handicraft industry such as,
without a Kanger. The craftsmen make a small
requirement of assistance from government. The
portable earthenware-lined wicker basket, Kanger,
state government need to be liberal
which becomes a warming pot when filled with
administratively and financially, so that artisans
burning coal. It is believed to be in use since the
fell easy to produce better quality and they can
time of Mughals and no matter how many heating
able to compete with the mill made goods.
devices are in the market nowadays, its popularity
and utility remains intact. Kanger is work of art 6. Reference
and represents the place it is made at like Tchaar i. Kashmir Times, 18 March, Monday,
Kanger, Bandepoor Kanger and Islambaed
(2002)
Kanger. There are kangeris which are intricately
woven with fine willow while some are made of ii. Industry on fast revival in J&K,
coarse and thick material. Jammu, News line, The Official
Phuk-Kari Website of Jammu & Kashmir
Phul-kari is popular since 15th century; phulkari is Government , India, 18
a style of embroidery using bright floral designs.
The word Phul means flower and Kari means September,(2001)
craft. A traditional craft of Jammu, phulkari is a iii. Bamzai P.N.K., a history of Kashmir
domestic art practiced by women for their own political, social, culture from the
use. The craft has brought colour into the
earlier times to the present day, New
everyday lives of women and their garments. A
bride’s trousseau is considered incomplete without Delhi, (1962)
phulkari. Earlier the embroidery was limited to iv. J&K bank yearly calendar cum
shalwar kameez and dupattas but now phulkari is
magazine (2014)
done on handkerchiefs, table covers, bed spreads,
wall hangings, jackets, bags, footwear and kids
garments reflecting their popularity. The designs
are also no longer limited to floral patterns.

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