Kashmir’s famed pashmina shawls
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Kashmir’s famed pashmina shawls, known for centuries for their
signature intricate buta or paisley patterns, got a French touch.
§ The transformation,
where Kashmiri shawls were adorned with abstract paintings rather than
intricate embroidery, has re-introduced the fabric with new-age aesthetics.
What is Pashmina?
About:
Pashmina is a
Geographical Indication (GI) certified wool that has its
origin from Kashmir
Originally Kashmiri
people used Pashmina shawls to keep themselves warm during
the winter season.
The term 'Pashmina' has
been derived from a Persian
word “Pashm” meaning a weavable fiber precisely wool.
Pashmina Shawls are very
costly due to their fine quality of wool and the hard work
involved in making one single piece.
Weaving a single
Pashmina Shawl takes a long time depending on the type of work involved. It
generally takes around 72 hours or more to complete one shawl.
Source:
The wool that is used in
weaving the Pashmina Shawl is obtained from the Changthangi goats (Capra Hircus)
domesticated in Ladakh by the Changpa tribes.
The Changpa are
semi-nomadic community which inhabit Changthang (which is spread across Ladakh
and Tibet Autonomous Region) or other regions of Ladakh.
The Changpa were
classified as a Scheduled Tribe under the Indian Government's affirmative
action reservation program.
Significance:
Pashmina is one of the finest and highest quality
wool in the whole world.
Pashmina Shawl attracted
the attention of people from all across the world and hence this became one of
most demanding shawls in the whole world.
Its high demand boosted the local economy.