Made By : Special Hands of Kashmir
This product is hand embroidered and may have slight irregularities that are a natural outcome of the human involvement in the process.
SHIPPING INFO: Dispatched in a minimum of 5 business days to a maximum of 30 business days. Exchange accepted within 10 days of delivery. Cancellation requests will be accepted strictly within 24 hours of placing the order only.
MEASUREMENTS: Length: 2.25m, Width: 42 inches
MATERIAL(S): Pashmina
CARE: Dry Clean Only
Sozni embroidery was brought to Kashmir by the revered saint and scholar Shah Hamda (RA) in the 14th Century. It is usually practised by the local craftsman in a home-based workshop called Karkhanas. In the local dialect, the craft is also referred to as Sozni Kaem, Kani Sozni or setchzinikaem.
Process:
To make a Sozni embroidered shawl, a pashmina shawl is chosen first. The chosen shawl is sent to a Naqash (designer), who carefully draws the design to be embroidered on a graph paper using geometrical and mathematical techniques. Based on the design prepared, a block of walnut wood is carved by a wood carver specialising in shawl designs. Thereafter, the design is transferred onto the shawl by a printing specialist called chapangur. The carved block is dipped in washable ink and stamped on the shawl. The stamped shawl is passed to a master artisan, called tarah-guru, who does sample embroidery and determines what colours are to be used. Another master craftsman, called voste, approves the design. Once approved, the shawl is passed to the artisan for completion of the embroidery. The finished shawl is then washed by a specialist in spring water by striking the fabric repeatedly against a smooth stone. Sozni needlework is so fine, it is hard to believe that the design is not woven.
Various motifs are employed to adorn the shawls. From traditional motifs such as Badum (almond) also commonly known as paisley, bird motifs such as parrot, canary and woodpecker to nature-inspired marigold, daffodils and Chinar leaves are incorporated.
The amount of embroidery to be done over the shawl decides the time in which it will be completed. Jaali shawls are less heavy, while tuki Jama is laden with embroidery motifs. Tuki Jama shawls take even years to get ready.
