The art of weaving was introduced in the Kashmir Valley in the late 15th century by the King Zain-ul-Abidin, who had imported the art from Persia. Carpet and shawl weaving in the valley still follows the erstwhile tradition of intricate geometric and calligraphic motifs, created using detailed needlework. In this guided experience in one of the oldest carpet weaving facilities in Srinagar, you will get to know the how, what, and where of the storytelling of carpets and pashmina weaving and why Kashmir plays a central role in these craft forms.
Details
- The art of weaving Pashmina shawls also dates back to the 15th century in Kashmir, when Cashmere wool was discovered by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani, a saint from Persia. On his visit to Ladakh, he discovered a rare goat species, and the soft and warm fleece growing on their underbelly. Following this discovery, he ordered a pair of socks to be handcrafted from this fleece. The socks were exceptional in their quality - fine, soft, warm, and luxurious. He named this fleece ‘Pashm’, which means ‘Soft Gold’ in Persian.
- The process of Kashmir Pashmina shawl making starts with herding and rearing of Pashmina Goats at an altitude of 4500 mts above sea level and ends at the skilled hands of artisans called Wovur in Kashmir who practice a weaving process that is called Wonun. Kashmiri Pashmina is not just the wool obtained from the Pashmina Goat, but also a unique process of 20 steps specific only to Kashmir to prepare the final Pashmina fabric.
- The origin of carpet weaving in Kashmir goes back to the 15th century when Sultan Zainul Abidin (popularly known as Budshah) brought some Persian craftsmen to the valley and trained locals in the art and craftsmanship. He even introduced small, medieval factories for carpet weaving, and soon the art flourished. It was revived after his reign in the mid-18th century by the Mughal emperor Jehangir. Over the decades, women started taking over the craft, which can be tedious on the tendons and straining for the eyes.
- The process of weaving carpets in Kashmir is distinguished by the practice of making and reading the taleem, an intricate pattern of hieroglyphs and coded syntax. The complete drawing of the design is translated into this notational cryptographic script whereby each unit/knot comprises two symbols always written together, one symbol indicating color and the other indicating number of knots, a language known exclusively to the carpets weavers of the valley.
Good to know
- Min.2 , Max.8 people
- 48 hours prior booking time required.
- Duration - approx 4 or 5 hours if lunch is included.
- Guests have to arrange their own transportation & reach the meeting point.
- Kids below 8 years can join at no charge, 8-14 are charged at 20%, 14+ at full charge.
- Lunch - Kids below 8 years can at no charge - can share with parents, 8-14 are charged at 50%, 14+ at full charge.
- Non-veg Menu:
- Green Salad
- Mutton Seekh Kebab
- Chicken Roganjosh
- Dhaniwal Korma
- Steamed Rice
- Gulab Jamun
- Veg Menu:
- Green Salad
- Matar Paneer
- Dal Tadka
- Mix Veg Seasonal
- Zeera Rice
- Tawa Roti 04
- Gulab Jamun
What's included
- Carpet weaving in the loom at the Ali Shah Crafts office, pashmina weaving procedure (with detailed explanations), display of finished carpets and shawls to understand the end product, then heading to the facility in downtown where the carpets are dyed, washed,
- and finished, followed by a local lunch (optional).
What's not
What it's worth
- Price for 2-3 - Rs 3,540 per person
- Price for 4-6 - Rs 2,950 per person
- Price for 7-8 - Rs 2,655 per person
- Price for kids (8-14 years) - Rs 750 per person
- Non-veg Lunch (Optional) - Rs 1,180 per person
- Kids (8-14 years) - Rs 590 per person
- Veg Lunch (Optional) - Rs 950 per person
- Kids (8-14 years) - Rs 475 per person
Where it is
Phone : 9810464613Address : Nishat Brein Link Road, Bagh Hussain, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir