[1] Kani weaving is believed to be an art indigenous to Kanihama and traced back to 3000 BC.
[3] This exquisite shawl was once coveted by Mughal Kings, Sikh Maharajas and British Aristocrats.
While the name 'Kani' comes from the area where this particular artisans come from, Kanihama, the word 'Kani' - in Kashmiri - also means a small wooden oblong spool.
While there are some differences in techniques and tools, the fundamental principle of following the color-coded Talim remains the same.
However, Kani shawl making is a specialized art form with unique intricacies and challenges, and skilled artisans in this craft produce the most exquisite and authentic Kani shawls, preserving its traditional heritage.