KALMKARI
Our Handloom Pashmina Kalamkari shawls are based on the use of luxurious pashmina fabric and the contemporary art of Kalamkari, hand-painting or block printing onto the fabric. Shawls made using Pashmina wool is a technique that involves weaving pure pashmina yarn and adding wonderful Kalamkari designs using brush painting employing natural dyes.
The base fabric of the kalamkari Shawls is Pashmina Wool which is acquired from the Changthangi goats. The pure pashmina yarn is woven on handlooms as a part of the kalamkari process. The process of weaving is called “Wonun” in Kashmir. This is done on proud handlooms manufactured in Kashmir by artisans known as the Wovur, utilising handlooms which are authentic to the 15th century.
The weaving process is complex as the threads break very frequently and it takes a lot of patience and skill from artisans. Once the Pure Pashmina fabric is woven, Speciality Artisans hand-paint designs on the woven pashmina utilising wooden block and block printing method applying organic dyes. The Pashmina shawl Designs often feature floral patterns, paisley, vines, mughal gardens, and traditional indian scenes.
Once the fabric is dried, many Skilled Artisans fill in the outline of the earlier painting using vibrant colours, small fine tipped bamboo or date palm pen.
Artisans also add in hand embroidery (around the motifs, in different colours / red, black and white) often utilising resham , zari , and other threads.
The final step of the process is washing the shawl to rid of any excess dye or impurities.
