Jammu & Kashmir: Art

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

Carpets

The Hindu, August 4, 2016

Pushpa Chari

The Kashmiri Mughal silk carpet is a tradition brought to Kashmir by Badshah Zainulabidin.

These carpets bore the motifs of birds, animals and hunters, and mostly that of the Valley’s exquisite flowers and its natural beauty. Many of these beautifully woven carpets are often known as Maharaja carpets since they were commissioned by Maharajas and Nawabs and are found today within the precincts of their descendants or in museums. While some of these carpets replicated the Persian Qum, Hamadaan, Kirman or Ardebil, most of them mirrored the Valley’s poetic flora, its architecture and birds. Today these ‘Kashmir Maharaja’ carpets are being woven by the Valley’s carpet makers.

These antique collections are brought together by carpet connoisseur and collector SM Tariq. Sourced from private collections many are replicated by local trainees and Kashmir carpet weavers, most of whom are descendants of the Persian weavers.

The carpet exhibition showcases turquoise blue flower spattered Kashans, deep blue Isphahani carpets and a large number of Kashmir Maharaja carpets. The line-up includes outstanding well-knit silk masterpieces in shaded green and red. According to Tariq, “No Persian can match these to carpets. Both design and hand-knotted carpets represent highest quality and artistry.”

Another rare Kashmir Maharaja carpet is the ‘Khatumband,’ which reflects in its design a rare combination of architecture and artistry that are seen in carved wooden ceiling and mosques in Kashmir.

The dyes are stored in vats and the threads are dyed as per the design. This leaves us to weave according to the ‘nakshabands’ coded design instructions. Young students like us work through the winter and imbibe the craft.” Says S.M. Tariq,. “This is one way of preserving the carpet making craft and taking it forward.

Tariq’s initiative to revive the Kashmir Maharaja carpets supports 400 carpet-weaving families in Srinagar. He plans to create a Trust to take care of their financial needs from time to time. “On no account should this craft be allowed to languish and disappear” he says.