Kashmiri Handicrafts
The Handicrafts of Kashmir are famous all over the world, for they are manufactured, designed, and finished by the handwork of craftsmen only. The artisans make crafts and furnish them by hand. The districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam are the main districts from central Kashmir that are indulged in the work of handicrafts.
A majority of people from different districts are mainly dependent on handicrafts. The Handicrafts of Kashmir include woodwork, embroidery, textiles, rugs, silverware, crewel, paper mache, and shawl making. It is the main source of living for a majority of people in the valley.
Kashmiri woodwork
Wood carving is one of the most important Handicrafts of Kashmir. Most of the work is done on the walnut wood. Wood carving is mainly done on the furniture, wardrobes, beds, and many more things. People who start the business of woodwork first set up the workshops for carpentry, carving, and polishing. The craftsmen carve the designs of chinar leaves, grape bunches, roses, and different other things on the wood. Khatamband is also included in woodwork that is done on ceilings with regular geometric patterns. This work is also done by hand and a lot of capital and craftsmen get invested to make a unique wooden ceiling.
Kashmiri embroidery
Embroidery on the garments and other cloth materials always looks elegant and royal. The Kashmiri embroidery is famous all over the globe for its pure material, soft threads, and elegant designs. Sozni work is one of the popular designs that is done on the shawls. The Sozni embroidery adds elegance and royalty to the shawls. Paper mache embroidery is another famous type of work that is done on different types of cloth material. Satin thread is used for this type of embroidery. Another type of embroidery is Aari work that is usually done on thick cloth material but not necessarily. Thick and colorful threads are being used for this work.
Kashmiri textiles
The textiles of Kashmir have a glorious history in the world. The textile mainly includes shawl weaving. Kashmiri Kani shawl is also known as Jamawar is made of different colored threads with a special type of Kani needle. These shawls are made of wool with a little blend of cotton. Pashmina shawls are the most expensive and elegant shawls that are made with a lot of effort right from the beginning. The thread for pashmina is collected from the twigs and bushes around the region where there is the habitat of Kashmiri Asian mountain goats. The fiber is then collected and spun, and processed through different machines and needles. After all the processes are done, the thread gets ready to get weaved. Amlikar shawl and Dourukha shawls are also weaved in Kashmir. Different needle works are being done on different shawls according to the taste and choice of the wearer.
Kashmiri carpets
The alluring look of the Kashmiri hand weaved carpets had caught the eye of a majority of people all over the world. The lovers of elegance and royalty all around the globe are fascinated by the Kashmiri carpets that are weaved and spun by hands. The carpet weavers made a lot of effort to make the design for the carpets. Carpet weaving took a lot of effort, labor, and capital for making the pure Kashmiri rug.
Kashmiri paper mache
The Kashmiri paper mache work is also among the Handicrafts of Kashmir. It was introduced by Mir Syed Ali Hamdani from Persia and the people of Kashmir adopted this craft as well. It is done on the bowls, cups, vases, boxes, trays, lamps, and many other objects. This art is based primarily on paper pulp, decorated with beautiful and rich colors.
Kashmiri copperware
It is an ancient artwork, that is done on the utensils of copper. Designs of chinar, roses, calligraphy are being engraved on the utensils like samovars, plates, trays, pots, and other utensils as well. The copperware and the brassware of Kashmir are usually used by the locals here. Many markets in the valley are famous for copperware.
Crewel embroidery
The crewel embroidery is used to decorate the houses by putting different crewel embroidery items for show purpose. The crewel embroidery is done on curtains, pillow covers, bed sheets, rugs, and many more items to increase the grace of the house. The craftsmen usually design the chinar, plant twigs, branches, and flowers on the cloth base. The crewel embroidery is mainly done by women.
Kashmiri silverware
Kashmiri silverware is one of the ancient arts in the valley. The designs that are being carved on the silver items are called Naqash. Craftsmen who are indulged with this art make many alluring and beautiful masterpieces including jewelry items, fruit bowls, photo frames, plates, utensils, footwear, mirror stands, cases, gift items, and many more. Silverware is usually bought by brides for their weddings, as these things add elegance to their luggage.