Chinar

The heritage tree

Chinar, (Platanus orientalis) is a large deciduous tree and is considered as a living heritage of Kashmir. The shedding of chinar leaves marks the onset of autumn in the valley. The tradition of planting Chinars in Kashmir took deeper roots during the Mughal era. Today the chinar population in Kashmir is declining at a rapid rate.

Locally, chinar is called 'Boon' or 'Buen'. Chinar originally is a Persian word meaning 'blaze or fire' for changing its leaf color to red, yellow and amber during the autumn season. 

This majestic tree can be found everywhere in Kashmir and is very popular amongst the locals, who love to sit under its shade. Kashmir also has the World’s oldest chinar tree in Chattergam village of Budgam which is believed to be planted in 1374 by Syed Abul Qaim Hamdani (R.A).

Chinar trees were brought from Persia. Mughals were very fond of the tree and were thus declared as the 'royal tree'. Akbar alone is said to have planted around 1200 trees. Jahangir put forth the concept of Char Chinar (planting of four Chinars on four corners). 

Despite the laws imposed by the government like ban on felling and lopping of chinar trees, it is heartbreaking to know that illegal felling of these trees still continues. The population of the trees has dwindled down from around 42,000 in the 1970s to about 38,401 in 2007. People and administration cut down these trees for construction and for widening of roads. However, various efforts are taken by the state to revive this heritage. Chinar tree requires to be registered and considered State property. Each year Chinar saplings are being planted on 21st of March   (chinar plantation day).Removal of signboards installed on the chinar trees under Jammu and Kashmir Specified Trees Act, 1969.

The Chinars beauty is truly incomprehensible. I really hope that this legacy never dies and its trees always stand tall in all their magnificent glory.

                                                                                                                  Rahila Muzafar (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K

 

 

Kashmiri papier mache

A perishing art

Papier Mache is a French word meaning "chewed paper". The art of Papier Mache involves molding raw paper pulp into aesthetically pleasing objects. The valley of Kashmir is known for Papier mache. Unlike today, during earlier times one could witness the articles being sold at every nook and corner of the city. Unfortunately, the art is now vanishing from Kashmir.

This art form is primarily based on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colorful artifact; generally in the form of vases, bowls or cups, bases of lamps and many other small objects. These are generally made in homes or workshops, in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir.

In Kashmir Papier Mache originated in the form of making pen cases from paper pulp (Base). The qalamdans (pen cases) were in turn covered with floral or geometric patterns and finished with a coat of Rogan (Varnish). For this reason that the craft was initially referred as Kariqalamdan (the art of making pen cases).The art involves two processes: Sakhtasaazi (making of base product) and Naqashi (Painting) giving decorative touch, painting by fine hands for intricate designs done over it.

 Papier Mache has contributed a lot to the economy of Kashmir, but unfortunately this craft is becoming a part time activity. With new technologies and manufacturing techniques, the art of Papier Mache is slowly dying. The economic viability of the art has taken a hit due to machine carving and artisans preferring other jobs.

The end products generally have a higher cost because more time is involved to get the work. Lower quality, cheaper machine products have given a tough challenge to the sector, with artisans struggling to keep the sector going. People often prefer to buy the machine made products due to their lower prices. These are the bottlenecks leading to the dwindling of art from Kashmiri culture.

    Beenish Fayaz  (M.Sc. Student)

                                                                                                                Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K