Kashmiri Embroidery

Kashmiri Kashida The embroidery of Kashmir is very Delicate and mainly has floral patterns. Nature has been very kind and beautiful here - the valleys are full of colourful flowers, chinar trees(maple), and badam (almond) trees. In Kashmir embroidery the motifs are of paisley or almond shape, chinar leaf, delicate flowers and leaf. This embroidery style is mostly associated with shawls, is extremely delicate and is usually done with one strand of thread. The fineness and minute details of this embroidery style make it extremely expensive. A shawl can cost from anything between Rs.900 to Rs.1,00,000/-.Unlike other native embroideries Kashmiri Kashida is done by men folk. This art form is kept alive by passing on the technique of embroidery to future generations.

Basically there are three styles of Kashmiri embroidery which are used to adorn different articles.
1. Sozni & Rezkari Mostly done on shawls and long Kashmiri dresses. Sometimes, this style of embroidery is also seen on bed covers and other household articles. This technique of embroidery employs a single strand of thread. The technique is so intricate and skillful that the pattern appears on both the sides of the shawl. These shawls are called Dorakkhas. Various colours are used in this embroidery style. Mostle very delicate paisley & leaf pattern bordrs are embroidered. The stitches that are employed are mainly Stem, Cretan, Fly and Darning.

2.Aari - Chain like stitches done with the help of a hook. Flower designs ,are firmly worked in concentric rings of chain stitch. A range of colours are used for this art and many articles like cushion covers, bed covers, and also leather items are embroidered in Aari. To perfect this technique of embroidery it might take up to a year. Phirans - A unisex garment embroidered in varying styles mostly in silk and woolen fabric.

3.Kashmiri couching - This is done by twisting 4 or 6 strands of threads on the right side and couching it with a single thread of the same colour, sometimes threads of contrasting colouirs are also used. Again this is a very intricate form of embroidery and an extensive training is needed to perfect this tech