Locally made electric blankets are proving to be the best alternatives for traditional kangri and these blankets are in good demand in Kashmir, say manufacturers. These blankets are capable of heating an entire room within a few minutes while using minimal energy. These blankets not only provide an alternative to traditional kangri but also to...
Once considered a quintessential cultural element, Khanyari (Rainawari)Tiles were used in every traditional house of Kashmir to decorate the floors. In the past, the glazed tiles were made by a large community of artisans from Khanyar, Srinagar. At its peak, people in that Mohalla would make 50000 tiles a day, reduced to barely a 100....
The hammam has its origins in the bath houses of the Roman Empire, from where it travelled to Asia Minor and soon came to be known as the Turkish Bath, where it came to be known as hammam. Though these came to be associated with the Ottoman period, the first is said to have been...
The timeless art of Filigree (Turkwaaz) in Kashmir is on the brink of extinction, with most skilled artisans opting for other livelihoods due to its dwindling demand. Only a handful of dedicated artisans continue to practice this intricate handmade craft. The availability of machine-made filigree from Odisha has made it difficult for the handmade products...
Cockscomb (Celosia), a plant with fluffy edible leaves, is known in Kashmir as Mawal. It has been one of the essential ingredients of the Kashmiri cuisine – Wazwan. It was added in the Wazwan cuisine mostly to enhance its colour. However, with the passing of time, cockscomb was replaced by the synthetic food colours. However,...
Women of Kashmir are breaking the gender norms and defying societal constraints, in the, till now a male dominated craft – copper craft. Women in groups of 20 learn the art in the Balpora village, Budgam. As finding stable employment is a struggle for women, especially in villages, the establishment of the training centre in...
Basket-weaving is one of the world’s oldest crafts, and is also widely practiced in the Valley. Willow wood is most commonly used and the kangri is one of the traditional items crafted from the wicker. The soil and climatic conditions of the Ganderbal District are the best for the cultivation and production of willow wicker...
Papier mache is a 700 year old craft of Kashmir. The process of making papier mache products is a result of two- stage techniques … the first stage involves the sakhta-saz, who makes the object with paper pulp; the second stage is of the naqash, who decorates the object with artwork. The sakhta-saz prepares a...
Urban design is concerned with the design of cities, towns, neighbourhoods, and public spaces – such as streets, urban squares, parks, transport amenities etc. Through the study and practice of urban design one learns to give three-dimensional form and character to cities and towns. Not just the physical form and spatial organisation urban design also...
Span Foundation has been supporting Zubair Ahmad Lone, the snowboarding national champion from Tangmarg, Kashmir, to realise his dream of representing India in the Winter Olympics of 2026. In 2014 he won bronze and silver in the national championships held in Gulmarg. He has been the national champion twice in Manali 2016 in Slalom and...
