Pashmina Shawls

Why in News?

• Kashmir’s famed pashmina shawls, known for centuries for their signature intricate buta or paisley patterns, has recently got a French touch.

Highlights

• Pashmina is a Geographical Indication (GI) certified wool that has its origin from Kashmir region of India.
• Originally Kashmiri people used Pashmina shawls to keep themselves warm during the winter season.
• The term ‘Pashmina’ has been derived from a Persian word “Pashm” meaning a weavable fiber precisely wool.
• Pashmina Shawls are very costly due to their fine quality of wool and the hard work involved in making one single piece.
• Weaving a single Pashmina Shawl takes a long time depending on the type of work involved. It generally takes around 72 hours or more to complete one shawl
• The transformation, where Kashmiri shawls were adorned with abstract paintings rather than intricate embroidery, has re-introduced the fabric with new-age aesthetics.
• Pashmina is one of the finest and highest quality wool in the whole world.
• Pashmina Shawl attracted the attention of people from all across the world and hence this became one of most demanding shawls in the whole world.
• Its high demand boosted the local economy.