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Emblem of warmth and luxury - Jamawar Shawl

Jamawar or jamavar originated in the hilly regions of Kashmir. The word jamavar means a robe or shawl and war means yard. In the early days, people use to purchase jamawar shawls to protect themselves from the chilly winter. Traditionally the jamawar is a blend of two types of fabrics. The uniqueness of the shawl is the blend of many hues and colors, which is distinctive.
The design in a jamavar is woven into the fabric with no loose threads on the back side, not as the Banarasi weave where loose threads are not stitched perfectly at the back side of the fabric. Commonly jamawar fabric is used in shawls.
But, recently it is also used in the design of stitched garments, sarees, blouses, bedspreads, tablecloths and curtains.

Origin and History 
The jamawar silk reach the Indian subcontinent from Persia around five centuries ago. Though, jamawar is in its glory in the era of the mughal emperor  Akbar. 
Historically, jamawar shawls were handwoven. It takes a long time to manufacture a single peace of shawl it may take a decade too. But thanks to the invitation of the jacquard loom, which make the jamawar more affordable. The early 19th century shows the enrichment of the fabric, however, by the end of the 19th century the art of jamawar weaving began to fade away as the Mughals are losing their power. 
Pure silk is used to create jamawar and they’re solely worn by the elite and royal class of the society. Now, with advanced technology jamawar is reachable to common people. 

Types of jamawar 
Banarasi jamawar 
Bananasi jamawar is unique in its stricking, shimmering, and intricate beauty. To have an excellent textile detailed showing combined with multiple hues is created. The designs are woven into the fabric itself and uncommonly with Bananasi brocade traditionally it is cleanly clipped on the reverse side. 
The artistic motifs as well s the Persian style arrayed along rich zari woven  all over the garment. The base material with which jamawar fabric is woven can also vary depending upon the weavers. From rich, traditional  kind such as red, blue and yellow to delicate pastel shades of pink and green  are quite commonly seen on the fabric. 
Kashmiri jamawar 
The jamawar from Kashmir is the blend of pashmina wool with silk the unique type of shawl or fabric has an adjective like elegance, luxury, sophisticated and class. The jamawar pashmina shawl is truly a symbolic fashion accessory that speaks about the taste of its owner. 

Maintenance 
The cotton and other blends of jamawar could be hand wash or slow machine wash with mild detergent. The silk blend of jamawar is preferred the dry cleaning. 

Reviving art
Currently, the Indian government has attempted and initiated some programs that work towards the revival of jamawar art. 
Rapid innovations are taking place to make jamawar more popular not just in India, but also globally. 


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