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Kawosa Brothers and their contribution to an art called Paper Mache

Picture of Oak Lores
Oak Lores
this the official oak lores handle

From scarlet red to a thousand shades of blue and green, this art form seems to be descended from the heavens. A single item of Paper Mache will catch your eye even if it is surrounded by a huge collection of other decorative pieces. Like a pearl in the ocean, it will always stand out.

Checkout the website of Kawosa Arts and Crafts for their amazing collection

Discovery:

Around 7km from the city center of Srinagar, the place called Amda Kadel (Lalbazar) is where the magic of Paper Mache happens. The Kawosa brothers employ several paper mache artists to create pieces that leave the visitors in awe.

I happened to know about this place through a mutual contact and upon reaching there, the place appeared like some kind of a treasure.

In the room full of art pieces, the contrast in design and colors is extreme. There is a shelf on the far end of the room adorned by miniature elephants, camels, and deer. Unlike real life, the animals here carry patterns and flowers printed on them as if they are flaunting a lore, a story that happened sometime in the past, a story full of colors and happy times.

All these are overlooked by colorful fairies hanging by a delicate thread as if they are guarding something or waiting for a visitor to come.

On the right side of the room is a shelf full of vases and not-so miniature-looking animals.

The vases may appear a little ordinary at first but upon a close look, one can see the intricate pattern of flowers entangled gracefully. The attention to detail is brilliant and is what makes these pieces unique and great at the same time.

On my left side were hundreds of items that looked like some kind of goblets or bells printed with all kinds of colors and shades. While some bells were printed with flowers of red and green, others carried some story depictions where a King could be seen addressing the courtmen.

Looking at them felt like they were there to welcome the time of Christmas to come.

Captivating my senses above all was a tray adorned with a regal scene depicting a monarch at the helm of his army, marching forth to battle. The intricate print was meticulously symmetrical, drawing the eye to its harmonious balance. Surrounding the central tableau, the outer edges of the tray showcased a majestic Elephant cavalry, adding a sense of grandeur and power to the composition.

History:

In the 15th century AD, King Zainulabidin, also known as Budshah, of Kashmir extended a gracious invitation to artisans from diverse corners of the world, beckoning them to bring forth an array of artistic traditions to enrich the cultural landscape of Kashmir. Among the myriad art forms introduced during this era was the exquisite craft of paper mache.

The term Paper Mache is believed to have evolved from a French term which means Mashed Paper. This intricate craft involves the meticulous application of colorful ornamentation onto smoothed surfaces crafted from paper pulp or layered paper. While paper pulp serves as a common material, its efficacy can vary, prompting artisans to occasionally substitute it with alternative materials.

Some of the important motifs/patterns that can be seen in the Paper Mache items across Kashmir are:

  1. Gulander Gul: It means Flower inside a flower. A bigger floral pattern is made up of small flowers much like the concept of fractals in mathematics. This infusion of intricacy not only elevates the design’s elegance but also guarantees an enduring fascination, promising that every subsequent gaze unveils a fresh detail to enchant the beholder.
  2. Mughal Paintings: The paintings from the Mughal era can be abundantly seen in such art varying from public addresses to war scenes etc.
  3. Hazara:  translating to “a thousand flowers,” embodies the essence of abundant floral patterns adorning this particular paper mache item. Through this profusion of blooms, a kaleidoscope of colors emerges, enriching its aesthetic appeal with a vibrant spectrum of hues.

 

This article mentions just a few art pieces of what the Kawosas and Kashmiri Paper Mache industry offers. The array is vast, showcasing a broad spectrum of patterns and a rich tapestry of colors.

Besides manufacturing these products at Amda Kadel, the Kawosas have their Showroom near the famous Nishat garden in Srinagar and also an office in Lajpat Nagar Delhi.

If you happen to visit Kashmir, do visit them to witness this heavenly art.

Love & Regards.

One thought on “Kawosa Brothers and their contribution to an art called Paper Mache

  1. Mohammad Idris says:

    Well written article but this art came here from Iran. By our great shah i Hamdan Syed Ali (r). Not badsha saheb he brought here woodcarving

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