Kangri

As the temperature in Kashmir decreases in winter, the sales of Kangri - a local parlance for an earthen pot encased in wicker - picks up. Kashmiris use Kangri to keep themselves warm during late autumn and winter seasons, especially in the rural parts. Villagers cannot afford the electric heater so they rely on the Kangri.

The Kangri is a sort of mobile heater. The mobile nature of the Kangri is one of the big reasons that it is so popular in villages. The villagers go to the fields with Kangri inside the pheran (a Kashmir cloak) in winters. In addition, it is used to warm beds, dry small articles of clothi ng, warm milk, burn incense, roast chestnuts or small pieces of meat and light hookahs.

Source: www.koausa.org www.1kashmir.com

Contributed by: Prarthana, CEE Ahmedabad

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Muslin Fabric

This gossamer light muslin fabric has found mention in the writings of many visitors to India, even as far back as the 3rd century B.C. A great deal of muslin was produced in and exported from Bengal. Dacca was the main region where cotton was cultivated due to the high humidity of the region, which prevented the delicate thread from breaking on contact with the air. The cotton spun was very white since the Brahmaputra and the Ganges Rivers have bleaching properties. The chikan workers in Bengal used this fine muslin for embroidery.

Stitches in Chikankari

Double-Star Earring, Peacock Feather's Eye, Sidhual, Makra, Mandarzi, Bulbulchashm, Tajmahal, Phooljali, Phanda, Dhoom, Gol, murri, Janjeera, Keel, Kangan, Bakhia, Dhania Patti, lambi Murri, Kapkapi, Karan Phool, Bijli, Ghaspatti, Rozan, Meharki, Kaj, Chameli, Chane ki Patti, Balda, Jora, Pachni, Tapchim Kauri, Hathkati and Daraj of various types.