Kashmir Handicrafts ---- II

Papier Mache is one of the exclusive Kashmir art. Different moulds are used to make various shapes and figurines. After the surface is made smooth the base colours are applied. Then the main work of making intricate patterns and designs starts. Very small brushes called kalam are used to make various shapes, designs peculiar to this art on the outer surface of these articles. Beautiful designer pieces both small and large are made especially vases, jewelry boxes, figures of animals and birds painted with colourful pictures and floral designs. Beautiful Christmas trees made by these artisans are high in demand worldwide and earn millions of dollars in the international market. The colours used are not chemically based but are traditionally made out of local herbs and materials and that make them last their shine quite longer. Some papier mache art pieces made long ago still keep their shine as are preserved safely in various museums worldwide........ (to be continued)