Mohammad Hanief
Paper Machie is one of the oldest handicrafts which is deeply interwoven with the culture and tradition of Kashmiri society and whose legacy has been passed from one generation to another for centuries. Besides, it generates employment for hundreds and thousands of Kashmiri households. The locally manufactured Paper-machie products are brought to local retail shops and tourist attractions for sale and are also exported to international markets, mainly in Europe.
Paper Machie is one of the most popular crafts practised in Kashmir. The tradition of the Kashmir Papier Machie has its origin rooted in the 15th century when king Zain-ul-Abidin invited accomplished artists and craftsmen from Central Asia.
Paper-machie is a French word that means chewed paper and the process of making it involves two steps: Sakhtsazi and Naqashi. Sakhtasazi, the initial stage of preparation, includes the making of the figurine from the mixture of paper pulp with the help of rice straw and copper sulfate. In the final step of Naqashi, several coats of paint are applied and the figurine is decorated. Artists prefer to use organic colors to paint their mesmerizing products. The entire procedure, which is done manually, requires much care and deliberation and is tedious and time-consuming.
The colours painted on object are made from pigments diluted in water to which some glue is added to fix the ground on which it is used. The three categories of colours are — mineral (both actual and artificial) organic (both plants insects etc.) Vegetables. The final objects papier machie is given one or two coats of varnish which besides giving it shine serves as a protective agent.
Gulander Gul (flower in flower) Hazara (the thousand flowers) Gul Vilayat (the dear flower) Miniature Mugal paints Mythological figures Animals Hunting scenes Battle Scenes. The product range covers ring boxes, pill boxes, boxes of assorted shapes and sizes, flower vases, wall plaques, bowls, ashtrays, screens etc.
Also, Paper-machie products feature a wide range of intricate designs and depictions of Kashmir flora and fauna in their decorations. Birds, animals, wall clocks, photo frames, wind chimes and more recently, Christmas trees can be an ornament for Paper-machie products.
Some common themes that artists use for their craft include flowers, jungle motifs, especially Kashmiri symbols like the chinar leaf and almond shapes. Some artisans have built a lasting influence with Paper-machie by bringing life to the historical scenes from Mughal courts and depicting Persian poetry on them.
Some artisans produce rahles, or small reading desks for reciting the Quran, and Quran boxes using Paper-machie, inscribing Quranic verses on them. These intricate designs appear to be of much touristic attraction with their sumptuous look, and their appeal lies in their uniqueness and mystic style. When adorned on a wall or inside showcases, these decorative pieces add a spark to it. Consequently, the prolific craft is not only traditionally, culturally or artistically important but aesthetically too.
The craft was originally known in Kashmir by its Iranian name ‘Kar-I-Qalamdani’. Qalamdan means a pen case, and was named such because in its initial stages the craft was used only to make pen cases. The noblemen and men of high stature commissioned the manufacture of pen cases. The Qalamdan was used to hold belongings like bottles of medicines, handkerchiefs, rings, insignia etc.
Many products are crafted out of this technique, both decorative and utilitarian. The popular ones are flower vases, wall plaques, bowls, trays, boxes, bangles, mirror holders, frames etc. Groups of people called the ‘Sakta-makers’ makes Paper-machie objects out of pulp and sell these objects to the ‘naqaash’ or Paper-machie painter. The Sakta makes the molds themselves according to the object and purpose.
Great tributes have been paid to Kashmir artists for their cleverness and ability to copy even the minutest details of the figures they wish to recreate. Though the Kashmiri handicraft of Paper-machie has foreign origins, these influences have been aptly imbibed and adapted to evolve into unmistakably Kashmiri characteristics.
Paper-machie, today, has become highly stylized and appealing by using real gold and silver paint and by adding intricate decorations. The designs and decorations of the Kashmiri Paper-machie, usually in the form of flowers and birds, have a strong Persian flavor.
Among other rich designs are ‘Arabesque’, done in gold against a brown or red ground to show sprays of rose blossoms in fine lines and ‘Yarkand’, an elaborate design built up in spirals with golden rosettes radiating from various centers and white flowers laid over golden scroll work. Some items like bowls and vases are lined with brass, while on special orders boxes and other items are ornamented with gold and silver leaves and depict beautiful landscapes and objects like a house boat, that form an inseparable part of Kashmiri lifestyle.
Handicrafts, in which skilled people produce many types of creative pieces using various materials from paper to stone, are one of the important ways of preserving and promoting cultural and artistic traditions along with the talents associated with the people’s history and lifestyle. And when it comes to handicrafts, Jammu and Kashmir is widely known for its artwork, cultural heritage and handicrafts. Kashmiri handicrafts include sophisticated products made manually or with the help of hand tools.
The flow of tourists in the region has helped promote the Kashmiri crafts, and people associated with the craft are exploring their skills and gaining global recognition. The Kashmiri Diaspora, living in different parts of the world, has also been instrumental in promoting this unique art form.
Paper-machie art is a centuries-old craft that has been used for decorative purposes in various parts of the world, including the Middle East, Japan, China, and India, and now it is finding rejuvenation across continents as the Diaspora promotes this unique art form. However, in Kashmir, it has evolved into a distinct art form that has been a part of the region’s cultural heritage for centuries. Kashmiri Paper-machie items, such as pen stands, coasters, jewelry boxes, flower vases, lamp shades, trays, photo frames, and decorative bowls, have good demand both inside and outside Kashmir.
With the support and promotional activities, Kashmiri papier machie art can continue to thrive and contribute to the cultural and economic prosperity of the region. It is a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, and its rejuvenation and promotion can play a significant role in preserving and promoting the identity of the region.