The paper-maché art of Kashmir is famous all over the world. It has a direct relationship to the arrival of Islam. However, the art is disappearing from Kashmir; only a few artists are left who have kept this art alive.
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| Papier Mache Decorative Wall Plate | Image Source - Instagram |
Handicraft
is a skill with which people create many items. They use different materials,
from paper to stone. Kashmir also has a huge variety of arts and crafts that
have been carefully preserved over the centuries.
People
have always travelled to Kashmir from different locations. Among them, many
were attracted by its natural beauty. Many of them then decided to settle here.
This caused different methods, arts, and crafts to develop in Kashmir. Today,
the valley is famous for its traditional crafts. These arts keep developing
with time.
Mirza
Haider has written the famous "Tarik-i-Rashidi". In his book, he
says, a person can witness all those arts and crafts that are uncommon in other
places. These include stone polishing, stone cutting, bottle making, window
cutting, gold beating, etc.
The
most historical accounts claim that the art was often limited to Srinagar, the
capital city. The Kashmiri Muslims of the Shia community engage in papier-mâché
handcraft. They deserve credit for keeping the art alive in Kashmir since the
14th century. They have been the traditional craftspeople
working in this field. Historians believe that papier mache saw a rise in the
15th century.
According to legend, a Kashmiri prince was
imprisoned in Samarkand, Central Asia. He learned the art
there, in prison. The fine arts are sometimes connected with perseverance and
patience. This art was beloved by and supported by the Muslim emperors of
India. The Mughals were especially fond of it.
Papier
mache has a long cultural history. It is connected to cultural and religious
identities. It started with the arrival of Islam. Auriel Stein says that Islam
arrives in the valley in different phases. It mostly spread under the guidance
of Sufi pirs.
In
105 A.D., this beautiful art was invented in China. It remained inside the
walls of China for almost 500 years. In the 6th century C.E.,
the route between the Pacific and Mediterranean was discovered. This served as
the link between the Arabs and China. And in 751 A.D., the Arabs took control
of Samarkand.
They
took many Chinese prisoners. The prisoners taught Arabs the art of making
paper. Samarkand was the ideal location for this art because it had enough
water supplies and raw materials. In this way, in the 7th century
A.D., the art of papermaking expanded in Central Asia. And later it reached
Iran, and from there it came to Kashmir.
Paper
mache is said to have been brought to Kashmir by Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen. He
brought this art to Kashmir in the 15th century CE from Samarkand. He brought
artists from different fields to introduce new trades in Kashmir. These
artisans were also skilled in other types of handicrafts. It includes carpet
weaving, copper etching, and wood carving. Many calligraphers also visited and
settled in Kashmir during his rule. They came from Persia and Central Asia.
Mohammad Husyn was the most well-known of them. Emperor Akbar gave him the
title "Golden Pen."
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| Mr. G.M Khawaja a famous artist of Papier mache | Image Source - Pinterest |
However,
the people credit Mir Sayid Ali Hamdani, known as Shah-i-Hamdaan," for
bringing this art to Kashmir. He visited Kashmir with his 700 disciples. They
taught the Kashmiri people many arts. Most of them are still being practised in
Kashmir.
The
art of papier mache in Kashmir is mostly practised by the Shia Muslim
community. They have been the traditional artisans working in this field. Many
artists traced their links to the artists who arrived from Iran with
Shah-i-Hamdan. Even some people have documentary proof to trace their links
with Iran.
Some
artists claim this even though they have no links to Iran. But their ancestors
were trained by Persian artists themselves. These arts and crafts have held the
emotional and historical connection of Kashmir with Iran.
Papier
mache was taken from a French word which means "moulded pulp".
However, in Kashmir, it is called by its Iranian name "Kari
Qalamdani". The beginning of this art was to make pen cases only.
In
the 19th century, French people were trading in the valley. They were mainly in
the pashmina shawl trade. The shawls were sent to France to be packed in
papier-mâché boxes. And once they arrived in France, they were sold separately
at a high price. In a very short period of time, these boxes created a separate
market for themselves in France and other European countries.
Along
with papier-maché boxes, flower vases also became popular on the French market.
This influenced the Kashmiri artists so much that later the name "Kari
Qalamdani" was replaced by the term "papier mache".
The
papier-maché-making process has two phases: sakhtsazi and naqashi. The first
stage is Sakhtsazi, and the final one is Naqashi. Sakhtsazi is made from a
mixture of paper pulp, rice straw and copper sulphate.
In
the final stage of Naqashi, the figure is adorned, and some coats of paint are
applied to it. The artists like to use natural colours to create their
beautiful products. The whole thing is done manually. It takes a lot of
concentration and attention.
For
the final stage, which is naqashi, there is a need for a brush for making
designs, or naqashi. The brush used in Naqashi is totally different from the
rest of the world. The real secret of papier mache is actually hidden in the
brush.
The
creation of brushes for Naqashi is a real art. Because the brush tip is so
small, it requires intense concentration and an eye. It should be symmetrical
in nature; otherwise, the Naqashi is literally impossible.
There
are two important requirements for making the brush for papier mache. The first
is a feather from a duck or eagle, while the second is a cat's tail. The hair
from the tail of the cat is used to make the head of the brush. And the holder
part of the brush is made from the shaft part of a feather.
Papier-maché
items have many complex designs. It also includes wildlife and flora from
Kashmir. Papier mâché items can have ornaments in the form of birds, picture
frames, or wall clocks. It also has animals and, more recently, Christmas
trees.
Some
artists create rahles, or compact reading tables, for the Quran as well as
Quran boxes. They also inscribe Quranic passages on them. With their luxurious
appearance, these exquisite patterns seem to be a major tourist attraction.
Their allure is due to their originality and ethereal elegance. These
ornamental items give it a spark when they are displayed on walls or in
exhibits. As a result, the widespread craft is significant for its history and
cultural background. It is also important artistically and aesthetically.
A
stunning Kashmiri craft is paper mache. However, both demand and sales have
fallen in recent years. We
take great pleasure in our age-old customs and artistic expressions. But
we often neglect to support the artisans who work hard to preserve
these customs.
Paper
mache handicrafts provide a living for hundreds of Kashmiri artists. However, it
is also an integral feature of India's cultural heritage. We hope that
Kashmir’s rich culture will continue to be enriched by this lovely art form.
People often disregard the labour-intensive nature of traditional arts and
crafts. It causes them to lose their allure.