This Maizah from Kashmir is a personification of the warmth of the people of Kashmir. These handpicked woollen threads rolled into colourful balls and eventually into flowy ensembles, find their root in these mystic peaks of the valley only. Each fibril is a story untold, finding its way into the essence of tales. The kaarigari also finds its nestle in the deep traditions of Kashmir where the mood of the crafters sitting together in a warm room, siping onto the brewing Kahwa would influence the design of the piece. The appearance of these wraps can be enhanced by customizing designs over them. Some prefer initials in addition to the motifs or independently, others incline on the haute boheme art upon the warm threads of Kashmir. Everything from the collection of raw material to needling to the disperse is...

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Made from 100% Kashmiri mamra almond kernel, almond oil comes into existence after an elaborate process of the cold press. This protects the unimpressed flavour and nutrients of the oil. The natural almond oil, bright sunset yellow in colour is nature’s own concoction to cure hair and skin concerns. Almond oil forms a major portion of a Kashmiri almond kernel. Almond, called Badaam locally is enclosed in a hard, woody, oval nut, pointed at one or both ends. Its shape is a craftsmen’s muse. From paper mache artist to the carpet weaver to the shawl embroider, every creator sketches a badaam shape onto their canvases adroitly in addition to the age-old motifs that have been tested by the tide of time. A powerhouse of nutrients, it’s compose of vitamin ‘A’ can help you with stubborn zits and...

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Seeded in the hamlet of Zari in Iran, acclimation of the Tilla threads of malleable gold and silver happened in Kashmir by a revered Sufi saint, Shah-e-Hamdan. These were hammered to form fine threads and the patterns were influenced by the chain of the thoughts of the artists on needlework. Mughals were mesmerized by its grandiose. They used epoch pieces of Tilla in their royal courts, thus setting it into a timeless fashion. This aesthetic blend has been tingling the fashion curation of the royals since time immemorial. The posh designers fancy this intricacy for the Grammy award chiffonier while the glamorous women admire themselves in the dresser's mirror. Gold and silver form the prime adornments for the Kashmiri wedding wardrobe. The myriad of Kashmiri brides use Tilla as bejewelling apparel. Minimalist brides even do not consider wearing...

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With a very thin muzak of rabab in the background, Kahwa in Kashmiri homes is steeped in the copper samovars, so much so that the liquid attains an ethereal, deep golden, velvety consistency. It is an infusion of a blend of impeccable, organic Kashmiri herbs. Stevia, honey, or sugar is used as a sweetener. It is traditionally garnished with crushed almonds and the strands of Kong posh (saffron) taking it to a festive high. Dried rose petals are added to it as well on customization. Shangri a famous grandmother’s herb is an ardent part of the Kashmiri Kahwa in addition to Sepistan, shount, and Dalchini. During the recent COVID-19 lockdown, the addition of these was medically recommended in this simple homemade decoction, Kahwa. Shangri consists of dried stolon, yellow-brown or deep brown outer layer, and is wrinkled....

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