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Carpets
The
namda, felt rug, made from
beaten wool, which is then embroidered over, is an important branch of the kasida
industry of Kashmir.
The
gabba- a unique type of
floor covering, prepared fro m old woolens in a variety of forms and designs-
come next to the namda industry, and its manufacture is localised at Anantnag
(Islamabad). Baramulla specialises in printed gabbas.
The chain-stitch rung, which
resembles the gabba carpet, is also manufactured economically, as the base is Hessian
cloth and coarse wool, over which floral and other motifs are worked.
The carpet industry, introduced into
the Valley by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, justly renowned. From the point of weaving,
carpets are broadly divided into two classes: smooth-faced carpets and pile
carpets. Pile carpets (kalins), made in Kashmir since the Muslim rule, attained
great perfection. Worked with floral and other designs, the hand-woven pile
carpet became the national craft of Kashmir.
The flora and fauna of different
lands-Kashmir, Central Asia and Iran are depicted on the carpets of Kashmir in a
harmony symbolic of traditional synthesis of Kashmir's diverse cults and
cultures.
Embroidery
 The embroidery of Kashmir, called
kasida, is world-famous. Varied, rich in colour, elaborate in detail and exquisite
in execution, the kasida patterns are freely drawn by the naqqash mostly from
memory. The finest kasida work, particularly embroidered on shawls or saris, has
no 'wrong' side.
The chain-stitch is also used for the
making of a large number of miscellaneous articles such as bags, screens and
cushion covers.
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