Save Kashmir Arts

A Mughal favourite, a Kashmiri heirloom: Inside the intricate world of Kashmir’s Kani shawls While modernisation introduces new audiences, the essence of Kani remains rooted in its slow, deliberate craftsmanship—a thread connecting Kashmir’s artistic past to its future.

Kashmir Artisan Wins 1st Prize In Iranian Craft Festival.

Kashmir Artisan Wins 1st Prize In Iranian Craft Festival Mir Arshad’s papier mache wall plate wins both heart and art SRINAGAR, Feb 25: In yet another recognition at prestigious global event, Mir Arshad Hussain, a noted papier mache craftsman from Bota Kadal, Lal Bazar, has been conferred with the first prize and Diploma of Honor at the 9th Internationa...

*Carpet weavers to be given modified steel looms with comfort seating*

*‘Draw of Lots’ on Feb 18 in IICT premises at Nowshera*

Srinagar, Feb 13: In order to provide comfortable seating arrangement and improve the quality of hand-knotted carpets, the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) is going to distribute Modified Modern Steel Carpet Looms to active weavers registered with the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir.

The Draw of Lots for selecting 100 carpet weavers from amongst the intended beneficiaries shall be held at IICT, Nowshera Srinagar on February 18.

Sharing details through a press statement issued here today, Director IICT, Srinagar, Zubair Ahmad, said the Central Wool Development Board, Union Ministry of Textiles, has sanctioned distribution of 100 Modified Modern Steel Looms amongst active carpet weavers at a total cost of ₹43.70 lakh under its ‘Wool Processing Scheme’ for the current financial year 2024-25. “The looms have been designed and modified by IICT, keeping in view the health safety of the weavers, who sit for hours together for weaving of the world-famous hand-knotted Kashmir carpets,” he said, adding that the department intends to provide such modified looms to all active carpet weavers in a phased manner.

The new modified looms are set to replace the traditional wooden carpet looms, which resulted in many health-related issues particularly acute back pain to weavers due to uncomfortable posturing.

Director IICT further advised all concerned beneficiaries to report in IICT premises at Nowshera for participation in the Draw of Lots, scheduled at 11.00 am on February 18, so that 100 beneficiaries are selected in a fair and transparent manner.

From ceremonial shawls to heritage handlooms: Tracing the legacy of Kashmir’s ‘soft gold,’ Pashmina

From ceremonial shawls to heritage handlooms: Tracing the legacy of Kashmir’s ‘soft gold,’ Pashmina Pashmina is celebrated for its light weight, soft, warm, and durable qualities, making it perfect for cold climates while remaining breathable

How can you tell if a Kashmiri shawl is real? An original pashmina shawl is created using handloom weaving. As a result, it will always have an irregular weave. To test this, hold the Pashmina up against a light, if the weaving is even, the fabric is machine-