Exquisitely Warm- Souzni Pashminas of Kashmir
Channel: VideoVolunteers
Date: 03/02/2014

Silk threads on a bed of Pashmina-- Sozni Pashimnas are perhaps one of the most exquisite pieces of weaving you will ever see. IndiaUnheard Community Correspondent Sajad Rasool visits a small outfit where these are created. 

Head bent over, her fingers deftly dance with the needle leaving behind a trail of mad colours. It will take her between two and four years to complete embroidering a shawl. Once complete, the shawl will travel far and in all probability end up in an upmarket boutique. On the Indian market a really good piece of work will fetch upwards of Rs. 60,000. 

The profits however don't reach the artists. All the profits, they say, get taken away by the middle men and contractors. The artisans eke out a living on Rs. 300 for every 10 days of work. Times are not good. 

Ask the artists and they say that they'd rather not pass on the craft to their children. 
"I hope my sons get some really good job. I have been doing this for 20 years and we have never made anything big of our lives", says one woman working here. 

"The love and the patience with which these shawls are created is a part of old-world luxury. It has continued into this day and age and I hope that these artists are able to get the help they need. It would be a shame to see this craft disappear.