Skip to main content

The Seraphic shawl- Raffal Shawl

Raffal shawl is the Kashmiri shawl style. It is from merino wool. The shawl is used mainly as men covering in Kashmir, India. The shawl is known for its soft, smooth, designs and darkness. It is high in demand not only in India but other parts of the world, especially in Europe and the united states. It is the status symbol for nobility, bravery, rank, heirloom, social functions like marriages, and elements of decoration.
History 
In the 17th and 18th centuries, political imbalances in Kashmir affect the shawl industries resulting in shattering them. Kashmir came under Afghan and subsequently Sih rule.The King of Punjab, Ranjit Singh conquer Kashmir back in 1819. To revive the shawl it was given as an allowance to his followers, to grant honor, and send gifts to other rulers. In the 1840s, Ranjit Singh's court was decorated with a Kashmiri shawl. To encourage the weavers the king settle them in Punjab. They're by applying the Kashmiri technique to Punjab wool merit wool. Creating the elegant shawl named raffal. It is part of the Kashmiri shawl but, lacks the distinctiveness of lightness due to the usage of merit wool. It consists of  18-24 diameters of microns. 

Embroidery 
Any style of embroidery can be done in it. Even aari work can be applied on rascal shawls to withstand the thick woolen threads used in aari embroidery. Through multiple loops, the thread is drawn using a hook which saves time. The machine was used in modern aari work.

Conclusion 
The raffal shawl is unique with a weave system that belongs to its region.The complex designs, motifs, color dyes, and techniques have been modified and developed during the period of the period.
The craftsmen trained the locals to create a shawl. These superior accessories are a work of immense hard work, extraordinary concentration, attention and extreme patience. Not many artists are blessed with this quality which makes the shawl exclusive.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Traditional Folk Art - Kantha Embroidery

One of the oldest and most famous forms of Indian embroidery from West Bengal and Orissa. Rural women practice this embroidery and pass it on to generations and it is also a common dowry tradition. These women not only embroidered the Kantha work on appeals but in décor also. The best thing about Kantha is that it didn’t need any additional ornamentation to make it look amazing and the reason it can be used in different forms and for various purposes. History Searching history first story believed that the earliest written record is earlier than 500 years ago. The poet krishnadas kaviraj wrote in his book Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita how Chaitanya’s mother sent a homemade Kantha to her son in Puri. Kantha had quiet beginnings in the rural setting of Bengal and almost vanished in the early 19th century. Another story is believed that Lord Buddha and his discipline use old rugs with different kinds of patchwork to cover themselves and th...

The Traditional Craft of Punjab - Phulkari Embroidery

In the 15th century, phulkari embroidery was first begun by the women folk of Punjab. A tradition of Punjab with bright and vibrant colors the phulkari is consist of two words phul means Flowers and kari mean Work. word phulkari means floral work but it is not only restricted to floral designs it also includes various motifs and geometrical patterns and shapes. The embroidery has its charm and is popular not only in India but worldwide.   Origin There are various theories about the origin of phulkari. One among them is embroidery was prevailed in most of India, But survived in Punjab. You can see a glimpse of it in Kashida of Bihar, And some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.  Another view is that the embroidery came from Iran, in there it is known as Gulkari. However, pal (1960) notes that both the style phulkari and Gulkari are distant. Ancient texts, folk legends, and literature of Punjab have references of phulkari. In Harshcha...

Unusual Art of Himachal Pradesh- Chamba Embroidery

The chamba rumal is an embroidered handicraft that was once promoted in the rule of chamba kingdom. It was a common item of gifts during marriages. The chamba has been registered for protection under TRIPS agreement. It was also listed as “chamba Rumal” under the GI act 1999 of government of India.  History and origin The word Chamba rumal gets it name from chamba hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The chamba rural is originated and flourish during 18th and early 20th century, due to theme being similar to miniature painting, it also known as painting in embroidery.  Chamba rumal embroidery were gifted in the wedding ceremonies and rituals during 17th century. Gradually local craft people, especially woman, began to spread and practice the art.  Stitch techniques   Inspiration for the chamba rumals is derived from the combination of miniature art with embroidery. They are commonly in square or rectangle fabric size. The...