The magic of papier-mâché
An intricate and unique art form that blends intricate designs with vibrant colours, papier-mâché is a sustainable and eco-friendly craft that literally translates to ‘chewed paper’.
This ancient art, brought to the Kashmir valley from Persia and Central Asia during the 14th century, was originally called by its Persian name ‘Kar-i-Qalamdani’. Papier mache is a long celebrated tradition in Kashmir, preserved over centuries and perfected over generations.
The artisans of papier-mâché are not only crafts persons, but are artists, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that each tell their own story. The process of the papier-mâché craft has two main steps, Sakhtsazi or the moulding of objects from paper pulp, and Naqashi, or the intricate hand painting of objects with exquisite designs and colours.
Sakhtsazi (stage I)
Sakthsazi refers to the process of converting discarded paper into pulp, and then moulding the pulp into different shapes. The skilled artisans who work on this process are known as Sakhta makers.
Discarded paper strips are immersed in water for approximately one week before being processed into pulp using a large stone mortar. The pulp is then dried over weeks and then mixed with natural rice flour and locally produced glue called saareesh to bind it into a paste.
The paste is then transferred to wooden or clay moulds that transform it to shapes of boxes, wall-plates, bowls, trays, picture frames, vases, vessels, festive ornaments, and other objects. The objects are then smoothened with rhythmic tapping with wooden blocks and finished by hand rubbing to smoothen any uneven bits, and made ready for the next stage of Naqashi, or intricate decoration.
Naqashi (stage II)
Naqashi is the painting and decorating stage of the papier-mâché process.
Objects that have been made from paper pulp and light wood are intricately hand-painted with motifs and patterns that are traditionally inspired by the valley of Kashmir. The process begins with the artisans applying a base coat of vibrant colours, which is then overlayed with intricate and colourful patterns and motifs inspired by nature, geometry, calligraphy and poetry.
The painting is done without any stencils or measurements and directly by hand with expert precision and symmetry, a skill passed down over generations. The artisans of Kashmir have preserved the craft over hundreds of years and to this day, making these masterpieces by hand in small batches and mostly in their homes or in small workshops.
The intricate work is carried out by fine paint brushes, traditionally made from the hair of goat or cat tails. Each unique piece is finished with a coat of varnish to gives it its characteristic glossy charm creating a timeless collectible, whether be it a small trinket box or a festive ornament or a large vibrant and unique wall plate.
