Kashmiri handicrafts

The artistry of Kashmir with palkis, bedsheets, trunks, inkstands, boxes, and spoons are famous all over India, furthermore, the shawl making is exceptional.

Some notable areas are textiles, carpets and rugs, crewel embroidery, phool kari, silverware, woodwork and papier-mâché, etc.

It is generally seen in the form of vases, bowls, or cups (with and without metal rims), boxes, trays, bases of lamps, and many other small objects.

[6] Kashmiri papier-mâché forms are simple, with artisans painting intricate designs requiring great skill and precision.

Persian masters were brought by the third Mughal emperor Akbar, that improved the local craft and techniques of shawl and carpet weaving.

One of the biggest exporter of the Kashmiri Handicrafts" The majority of the woollen fabrics of Kashmir, and particularly the best quality shawls, were and are still made of Pashm or Pashmina, which is the wool of Capra hircus, a species of the wild Asian mountain goat.

Wool that comes directly from the fleece of living sheep, is being sorted out, cleaned, dyed and then many layers are mingled together, soaped and felted.

Nomadic farming tribes of the Central Asian steppes and mountains knew the technique of felting already in the late Iron Age and felted carpets are still part of the culture of countries such as Kirgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, parts of Pakistan, and Turkey.

It is said that he was so much impressed by a namda given as a present to shield his horse from the cold, that the emperor granted the namda-maker, Nubi large swathes of land.

[19] The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is promoting the craft, expecting to benefit over 2,000 artisans of the 30 namda clusters from Kashmir.

[20][21] It is a product of Kashmiri handicraft, these are handknotted intricately designed piled carpets made with wool or silk.

[22][23] Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin introduced "Kal baffi" craft (hand knotted carpets) from Persia to Kashmir in 15th century.

Sultan brought carpet weavers from Persia and Central Asia in to Kashmir to train the local inhabitants.

[29] Kashmiri artisans had very swift and neat hands in wood carving, stonework, stone polishing, glass blowing, and willow work.