Introduction
Pashmina shawls, also known as cashmere shawls, are exquisite and luxurious garments that have a long and illustrious history. Derived from the fine under fleece of the Himalayan mountain goat called Chyangra (Capra Hircus), these shawls have been woven for centuries in the Kashmir region, which includes territories administered by India, Pakistan, and China. The name "Pashmina" originates from the word "Pashm," referring to the soft and warm wool produced by these majestic goats living at high altitudes in the Himalayas .
Historical Significance of Pashmina Shawls
The story of Pashmina shawls can be traced back to the ancient times when they were revered as a symbol of royalty and nobility. During the Mughal Empire, Pashmina shawls were presented as prestigious gifts, and they became a part of the khilat ceremony, where members of the court were honored with robes made of Pashmina wool. These luxurious shawls also became popular in Europe, especially in France, thanks to the enthusiastic use by Empress Joséphine, the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte . The shawls' association with the French elite elevated their status as a fashion icon.
Production Process of Pashmina Shawls
The production of Pashmina shawls is a labor-intensive and intricate process, involving the delicate handling of the precious Pashmina wool. Each winter, the goats naturally shed their undercoat, and the Changpa nomadic people living in the Ladakh region of India collect the fine wool through combing . The raw Pashmina is then transported to Kashmir, where skilled artisans carry out the rest of the production process.
In the old district of Srinagar, Kashmir, the combing, spinning, weaving, and finishing of Pashmina shawls are traditionally done by hand. It takes around 180 hours to create a single piece of these exceptional shawls . The craftsmanship involved in producing Pashmina shawls is a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisans who have inherited this art from their ancestors.
Terminology and Characteristics of Pashmina
The term "Pashmina" is sometimes misused or misunderstood, leading to confusion about its true nature. Pashmina is any wool under 19 microns in thickness, while true Pashmina is around 12-14 microns thick, making it six times finer than human hair . It is lighter and more delicate than regular cashmere wool, and when blended with silk, it creates a luxurious fabric that is highly prized in the western world.
The Importance of BIS Certification
In recent times, the popularity of Pashmina shawls has led to fraudulent marketing practices where products of inferior quality were falsely labeled as Pashmina, causing financial losses for traditional artisans and nomads who produce genuine Pashmina shawls . To protect the livelihoods of local craftsmen and preserve the integrity of this traditional craft, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a certification process to identify and label authentic Pashmina shawls .
Conclusion
The history and production of Pashmina shawls are deeply intertwined with the culture, heritage, and craftsmanship of the Kashmir region. These luxurious shawls have stood the test of time, evolving from symbols of royalty to coveted fashion accessories. The labor-intensive and meticulous production process, combined with the intrinsic beauty and warmth of Pashmina wool, ensures that these shawls remain timeless treasures cherished by people worldwide.
There are mainly two types of Pashmina Shawls; Hand Woven, and Machine Woven, both require a lot of time and skill of the artisans who take a significant amount of time to make one shawl.
The Hand Woven shawls are the finest quality shawls which are entirely crafted by manually by the artisans and it is because if this reason that they take more time to make and are hence costlier than the Machine Woven Shawls, who although require the same skill and designs, are made by machine and hence take much less time to complete.
10,000 and can go up to Rs 1, 00,000 and more.
One the other hand, the price of the Machine Woven Shawl starts from Rs.
7000 onwards.- Read interesting insights on Unsaid RealitiesFurther, to give a more detailed price of different kinds of Pashminas, here is the complete list:Kani Shawls – Rs.
8000 onwards (Depending on the quality of the Pashmina and the amount of work on the shawl).Reversible Shawls – Around Rs.
The word Pashmina originates from Persian: Pašmina which truly signifies "Produced using Wool".
The materials produced using this fibre were first woven in Kashmir.
Since Pashmina was first experienced by the Europeans in Kashmir, it came to be known as the 'Cashmere'.
The harsh external coat under the goat is delicate Pashmina.
The fleece is cut from the underbelly of goats which are local to the out of this world, remote hilly areas of the Himalayas in Tibet, Nepal and Central Asia.Various types of Cashmere Goat #Changthangi or Kashmir Pashmina goat: Originates from the Chanthang Plateau in Tibet and part of the Ladakh Region#Malra: Originates from the Kargil zone in the district of Kashmir#Chegu: It begins from the Himachal Pradesh amidst the Himalayas of northern India, and the chyangara or Nepalese Pashmina goat from Nepal.Depending upon the shade of the hair these goats made, Pashmina is generally made in Gray, White, Black or Cream Colors.
Aside from being labelled as the "Paradise on the earth", the second thing for which it's generally known is the generation of, one of the best nature of shawls and scarves, made by the customary Kashmiri Artisans.
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