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SRINAGAR : City of crafts and Folk Arts

SRINAGAR -  A CITY OF CRAFTS AND FOLK Arts


With its rich history, Srinagar is in the race of becoming part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in category of craft and folk arts . If it manages to get the status, the city’s image as a hub of exquisite art and craft will get a huge boost and the craft sector and whole kashmir will get a new lease of life .


Dar Javed
Darjaveed305@gmail.com


Kashmir Valley is known for its blending of multiple cultural and rich heritages. Apart from being an important scenic city of Kashmir Valley, Srinagar is known for its geographical and historical importance. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir State, is also known worldwide for its unique handicrafts and handloom products . The splendid work of art and craft in Jammu and Kashmir makes it famous all over the world.Some kind of elegant art work is present almost in everything in Jammu and Kashmir, be it embroidery on the shawls, papier-mache and copper Ware and wood work.

 Srinagar have been quite famous for enhancing the beauty of arts and craft of Jammu and Kashmir. They are world famous for carpets and wooden furniture. Along with it, the antique items include Shahtoosh Shawls and Pashmina shawls. Crewel works, brass and silver ware are other interesting articles.
 In spite of the influence of modernity and industrialization, the handicraft products of the state continue to receive worldwide acclaims. In the absence of large-scale industries in the state, handicrafts have remained a key source of economic activity in the state. They have contributed to state economy in difficult times . The handicraft activities have the capability to generate employment opportunities at a large scale if the markets are expanded and demand is increased by bringing in different marketing methodologies. Analysing overall scenario and performance of handicraft product even during the years of political unrest, it indeed gives a ray of hope to focus on it so that growth and development in the sector, especially in terms of exports, is maintained. The arts and crafts of Jammu and Kashmir has recognition all over the world and everyone in the state is affiliated to this occupation in one way or another and is the major economic sector of the state. Crafts in the state vary from the embroidery to shawl weaving, wood carving to paper machie, carpet weaving to namda weaving and much more.
The arts and crafts of Srinagar have been enriched since the ancient time as it offered the locals to intermingle with each other’s culture. Srinagar got habituated by the Persian, Tibetan, and Mughals and the arts and crafts of the region got influenced by these cultures. Traditional items from Srinagar are in great demand from tourists all over the world. Pashmina Shawls and dress materials are the most popular items of Srinagar. Carpets and hand-woven rugs, woolen items, jackets, embroidered Phirhan and scarves are some of the other handloom works that one could exclusively get in Srinagar. Namdas and sarees, dress materials with Naqqashi work are also bought in great numbers by the tourists. Silk sarees and other silk materials, embroidered handbags, purses, files are also the specialties of Srinagar.
INTACH KASHMIR chapter is preparing a dossier for inclusion of srinagar city under UNESCO cities network .INTACH is working with DRONAH organisation .DRONAH has successfully last year managed to get Jaipur city listed  in UNESCO heritage cities network .srinagar has a strong case to get listed as UNESCO heritage city in category of craft and folk arts .if this happens the craft sector will get a new lease of life .Crafts are not an ordinary enterprises in srinagar . They are symbolic of history and culture of kashmir and its people. Different crafts being practised in srinagar city are summed up below :

CARPETS

The origin of hand knotted carpets locally known as "Kal baffi" dates back to 15th century after which it progressively attained the high degree of perfection. It is said that Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin brought carpet weavers from Persia and central Asia in to Kashmir to train the local inhabitants.
Carpets from 200 knots to 900 knots/sq. inch both in wool & silk yarn have attained such excellence that they rank amongst the finest in the world.


KASHMIRI SHAWLS
 
About Kashmir Shawls it is said "Of all Indian textiles none excels in  beauty, colour, texture and design as the famous Kashmir Shawl" Shawls are produced by two techniques, loom woven or kani shawls and the needle embroidered or sozni shawls.The basic fabric is of the three types - Shah Tush, Pashmina and Raffal

COPPERWARE:

 the age old crafting of copper is deep rooted in srinagar culture   this craft is Practised in Fateh kadal, Nawab bazar ,Rainawari, Bohri kadal ,SR gunj etc.

NAMDA( Felt

Namda is a local term used for felted wool floor coverings , used during winters as a tug for warmth  it is Practised in Chargari Mohallah ,nawab bazar , Safa kadal , Jamalatta, Kanimazar etc.

PAPERMACHE:

 this craft is being practised in   Zadibal ,Alamgiribazar , Nowpora, nowshehra ,Botakadal etc. Paper make is one of the most popular crafts being practised in kashmir . the tradition of kashmir papermache has its origin rooted in 15th century when king Zain ul Abidin invited accomplished artists and craftsmen from Central Asia .

Wood Carving ,Khatamband and Pinjra:

 walnut wood carving is one of the fascinating and delicate craft being practised in srinagar city ,it’s almost practised in all areas in srinagar city . Pinjra craft is also a traditional craft practised in srinagar city at many places like chattabal area .

WILLOW WICKER:

  practised in Hazratbal ,Harwan ,Shalabugh and soura . Locally known as KaniKaem is a  hand skilled craft involving weaving using willow reeds.

AARI EMBROIDERY:

it’s a fascinating hook work done in silk ,wool and cotton threads .it’s locally called aarikaem and the hook is called Aerr. In srinagar this craft is almost practised everywhere mostly in noorbagh cluster .
 


( To be continued).....

Dar Javed is working as RPF at Design innovation centre central universityof kashmir srinagar


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