“Agar firdous baroye zameen ast, hami asto, hami asto hami ast” – Amir-e-Khusru Dehluvi
(If there is paradise on earth, It is here, it is here, it is here)”.
Kashmir a Paradise on Earth and a place of serenity, simplicity and natural beauty. Painted with a unique holy culture and sublime mountains that makes everyone’s heart and mind intrigued through out thier journey. Handicraft products made in crafted in Kashmir adds more beauty to the already beautiful Kashmir.
Kashmiri handicrafts is a traditional artwork of kashmiri people that is renowned through out the world for its inventive work, alluring beauty and splendidness. Kashmiri Artists make different types of handicraft products like Kashmiri carpets, Rugs, stone craft, Shawls, Art crafts, Paper machie and numerous other crafts that are famous all over the world. These crafts are made hand by hand by the dextrous artisans and exported globally. These crafts are very much attractive, beautiful and extraordinary that anyone will get attracted.
The beautiful handicrafts that have made world to fall for them are Shawls, Carpets, wood works, Paper machie, Stone carving and many more.
Kashmiri Shawls
Kashmiri Shawl is a beautiful distinctive Kashmiri weaved and is mainly made of fine Shahtoos, Pashmina Or wool. It is a shoulder cape or mantle, worn usually by women across their shoulders during winters. These are beautiful handmade with various designs and colours. They are beautifully embroidered with the help of needle and colourful fine thread. The three different kinds of shawls are priced variedly and Shahtoos is the most precious and priced one as it is extremely light, soft and warm. It is made from the strands shed by the Tibetan Antelope that is found on the high altitudes of Ladakh.
Pashmina is the second priced Shwal after Shahtoos and it is also a very beautiful shwal with various designs and colours. There is also a variety of pashmina shawls and Kanikar shwal is the most beautiful and priced one.
Wood carving
Wood carving is a type of handicraft that is done usually on walnut wood. The raw material used for the fine wood carving is obtained from walnut trees locally known as “Doon kul” . The pattern of wood carving is so marvellous as intricate designs are carved Beautifully.
Carpet (Namda)
Namda is a form of matting, it finds most of its use in the form of customary matting, spread on the
floor to furnish homes. Namda making is a rare and a beautiful unique craft wherein magnificent floor pieces are made from wool of sheep by practice of felting the wool rather than weaving it. It is mostly used in winter as the floors of houses in kashmir get agonizingly cold during heavy snowfall and chilly cold etc. So, to make a cosy and comfortable sitting arrangement on the floor Namdas are furnished on floor.
Kashmiri handicrafts have a cultural significance so Artisans make the best for their clients. It is believed that the art in kashmir was brought by the great Sufi saint Mir Sayid Ali Hamdani who came to kashmir with his companions. Kashmiri handicrafts represent the identity of Kashmiri people and it also gives a window to the lifestyles and lives of Kashmiri people. It is the main source of income for many Kashmiris.
