Besides woollens, one thing that Kashmiris think of while making preparations for combating the chilling cold of winter is kangri, an earthen bowl encased in an exquisitely woven wicker basket.
The kangri, or kanger as it is locally known, is filled with embers and held against the body under a pheran, an overgarment unique to Kashmir, for providing warmth. Kashmiris call the kangri a mobile heater as it can be carried along anywhere under the pheran. Some keep the fire-pot under the blanket until it makes the bedding warm enough for sleeping comfortably and then remove it.
These local inventions, cherished by Kashmiris, keep serving the people of this beautiful land despite the onslaught of modern-day heating appliances in recent years. Kangris not only keep Kashmiris warm during the winter months, but also feed thousands of families by providing them with livelihoods.
Feeding families
The artisan families that make the kangris are spread across Kashmir in different villages. The potter makes the earthen bowl. The kangri-maker weaves the wicker basket around the bowl, providing two handles so that it can be carried easily, besides a base for balancing the kangri on the floor.
Making kangri needs a lot of skill and patience. Men and women collect the slender wicker twigs from forest. They process the twigs by scraping, peeling, boiling and drying before weaving them into kangris. As each process requires skilled hands, thousands earn their living in the production of kangris.
The numerous shops that sell kangris are proof that getting buyers is not difficult.
November appearance
From the beginning of November, one can see the delectable presence of kangris stacked up for sale in every market across Kashmir. The sale lasts until early spring. Depending on design, each piece costs between Rs 150 and Rs 1,500. But the kangris, which are commonly used for warming, are mostly sold at an affordable price range of Rs 150 to Rs 250.
Affluent families display kangris in their drawing rooms as a work of art and also present them to non-Kashmiri friends. These artistic kangris are expensive compared to the utilitarian ones used in winter. So, besides during winter, the kangri-makers earn a sizeable income by making artistic pieces.
Subsidiary business
Another small business associated with the use of kangri is making and sale of charcoal. Thousands of families across Kashmir sell charcoal, for use in kangris during the winter months, making a reasonable income.
For many, selling charcoal during winter brings an additional income.
Embers glow on
Kashmiris have the option of choosing between kangris and modern–day heating appliances such as electric and gas heaters that are available in the market. However, many shopkeepers said that people buy kangris in good numbers despite the availability of electric and gas heaters.
With the Kashmir Valley witnessing long power cuts in winter, many find it practical to use kangris to warm their homes.
Some citizens said that even if there is a regular power supply, kangri would still not lose its significance given its economic viability as compared to electric and gas heaters.
“Whoever invented it must have been a genius.
