Kashmir ( Name of a place in North India, called "Heaven on earth..because of it's beauty! ) is known for its fine quality carpets, an average piece being made with about 324 knots per square inch. Although the carpet industry here is of Persian origin, Kashmir has developed some of its own designs based on shawl patterns, the traditional paisley, leaves and flowers. Every winter, Kashmiri carpet vendors with small carpets piled high behind their scooters or motorcycles (the wealthier ones have cars and, consequently, bigger carpets) are a common sight in Delhi and other big cities in northern India. Since they have no shops in these cities- being temporary residents while the cold winter puts an end to tourism and business in Kashmir -they go from house to house in the hope of finding customers.
For fine quality carpets Kashmiri carpets worsted yarn is used. The namda is a specialty of Kashmir, which is so named because of the embroidery with woollen thread that completely covers the base of Hessian. A namda is prepared by spreading wool with certain quantities of cotton evenly either or mats, as in Kashmir, or on sackcloth, as in Rajasthan. This is moistened with a special solution, which is pressed into the felt either by treading upon it or by applying pressure by hand. Namdas are either embroidered or appliquéd.
NAMDA
A namda is a felted wool carpet. Much cheaper than the other woolen carpets, they are warm and stylish. In India it is said that a person named Nubi created the first namda to protect emperor Akbar's horse from cold. That namda was very intricately decorated and thus impressed the emperor. The craft of Namda making is followed in very limited areas in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. They can be termed as woolen druggets. The craft is said to have originated in Iran and Turkey. Apart from the carpets different other things like clothing, caps and hats etc. may be formed of the namda. The quality is that all the namda products are seamless
Material
The material is different type of wools. Camel and goat wool is commonly used in Rajasthan and sheep and goat wool as used in Kashmir. The finer the wool, the better the Namda. Jute or Hessian may be requires as a base cloth. In Kashmir mats are used as base and jute or sackcloth in Rajasthan.
Process
- To form a namda raw wool is first cleaned of the impurities.
- Wool is mixed with some quantities of cotton.
- It is then evenly spread on a mat or jute cloth.
- It is continually moistened with a special solution.
- The wool is pressed into felt by beating, treading or applying pressure.
- Patterns are created using embroidery or appliqué work.
Patterns and styles
Most namdas are made out of white, beige, brown, gray, or black natural wool. They may be dyed using special techniques before felting. The patterning is in terms of shapes and the embroidery and appliqué.
Kashmiri namdas are famous for chain stitch embroidery. The embroidery is so intricate and detailed that the namda almost resembles an Oriental rug despite that it is not knotted. The Rajasthani namdas of Bikaner, Malpura (chakma and ghogi namda) and pure wool un woven namdas of Tonk are famous for appliquéd patterns supported by embroidery. They can be used as floor coverings, sofa and chair throws and accent rugs. They are considered most suitable for the chilling winters.
Quality
Namdas are much less expensive than the other knotted rugs and carpets. The quality is judged by the felting and amount of wool. A nicely felted namda does not have loose wool and is durable. Namdas with more percentage of wool than cotton are considered better. Embroidery and appliqué enhance the richness as well as the quality.
Far less expensive are these colorful floor coverings made from woolen and cotton fiber, which has been manually pressed into shape. Prices vary with the percentage of wool - a namda containing 80 percent wool being more expensive than the one containing 20 percent wool. Embroidery is also done on namdas to make it more beautiful.
Few more links –
At home I do have a 6X9 Size Oval shape Namda... If you are interested to have it too, then here is E-Bay site, where you can buy some of these products… Though they have little choice than Kashmir itself…LOL But still you can see if some of these can be available at e-bay! http://home.listings.ebay.in/Home-Furnishings_Carpets-Rugs_W0QQsacatZ20572QQsocmdZListingItemList
LOLOLOL, I am sorry guys, this E-bay site is E-bay India and prices are valid in India only...!! You have to ask E-bay USA if they can arrange these products..!!! SORRY for my mis-understanding... :)
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