The traditional crewel work on Gaba, one of the oldest and most cherished handicrafts of the Kashmir Valley, is facing the threat of extinction due to declining demand. Syed Noorullah, a crewel artisan with 30 years of experience, has been adorning the Gaba with exquisite crewel embroidery work. However, many artisans, like him, are struggling...
Abdul Rashid Bhat, the 60-year-old chain stitch master from Tengpora, Nawa Kadal, Srinagar has long been associated with this form of embroidery. His works range from life-like designs to abstract patterns in black and white and in rich hues. Chain stitch is a sewing and embroidery technique in which a series of looped stitches form...
Making of Gabba’ (Kashmiri rug embroidered with aari work) has been carried out since the late 16th century Mughal period. Gabbas are made up of wool blankets. The old blankets are dyed in vegetable colors and with a cotton backing. These can also be made new by mixing wool (one or two ply) and a...
Walnut wood carving is an ornamental and delicate craft process that is unique to Kashmir due to the concentration of walnut trees in this region. The raw material used for the fine woodcarving of Kashmir is obtained from walnut tree locally known as Doon Kul (Juglans regia tree) and is cut only once it matures...
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....
