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The handicrafts items of Kashmir have gained popularity across the
state and is the one thing that every tourist loves to buy on a
visit to Kashmir. Woolen garments such as the pashmina shawls are
also a popular buy. Other shopping options include the Kashmiri
carpets, jewellery boxes, wooden furniture and exquisite mirror
frames.
Carpets
Shawls KashmirEverybody associates Kashmir's handicrafts with
carpets, but there's a whole lot besides. Depending on the quality
of your purchase, you can either pay as little as Rs.10, or a few
lakhs. Very many qualities exist side by side in Kashmir to suit a
variety of budgets.
Shawls
There are pure wool shawls called raffal which have different counts
of wool - 40, 60, 80 etc., and the shawl is progressively more
expensive as the count increases.
Shawls mixed with other fibres like cotton and cotton derivatives
are far cheaper. On the other hand, woollen shawls mixed with
pashmina will be far more expensive.
Papier mache
Here too, the quality of papier mache differs markedly, depending on
two factors. The first is the papier mache in its raw state. Unless
it is smoothened adequately to be silky to the touch, it is not
considered high grade. On the other hand, inexpensive papier mache,
brightly painted and varnished, makes a variety of gifts and
souvenirs that do not cost a fortune.
Eggs, egg cups, candle and pen stands, kum kum boxes and cigarette
boxes are just a few options at the low end.
Walnut Wood Items
Walnut Wood Items made from walnut wood come from three parts of the
tree: the branches, the trunk and the root. The branches have the
palest colour of wood, and the trunk the darkest. Branches have no
veins, trunks have the strongest marked veins.
Saris
Kashmir has extensive mulberry cultivation. Silkworms feeding on
this produce resilient silk. Kashmiri silk may be thin, but it is
strong nevertheless, as is chiffon. Very little silk is actually
woven in Kashmir - Kashmiri silk is the term used for silk produced
in Kashmir. It is mainly used to make saris.
Basket weaving & Cricket bats
Surprisingly strong, wicker baskets can be used as picnic hampers,
lampshades, glass holders for holding tea, work baskets, even
packing cases which can be sent unaccompanied by road. The main
centre of this craft is at Hazaratbal in Srinagar. Kashmir's willow
is so highly prized, that most of the national team uses cricket
bats from Kashmir. |
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