A Handmade Rug makes for a Great Festive Gift(IANSLIFE)
Just remember to take their style and home aesthetic into consideration when you choose and buy rugs as a gift for Navratri, Diwali, and upcoming other festivals…reports Asian Lite News
The time of year when individuals distribute love, blessings, and happiness among their family and friends has arrived, and people are getting ready to enjoy this time of year with full joy and enthusiasm.
With holidays like Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali coming up, as well as Christmas and the new year, consider giving your loved ones carpets and rugs as gifts that they will treasure for a very long time. You can select from a variety of styles, including floral, weathered, abstract, geometric, and classic. Do you need additional evidence? Here are five reasons why handmade carpets and rugs are the ideal holiday presents for collectors and interior design lovers.
Rugs look classic
Handmade carpets and rugs are one of the most common functional yet decorative items at home, so gifting this timeless home classic is sure to be a hit among your loved ones. Just remember to take their style and home aesthetic into consideration when you choose and buy rugs as a gift for Navratri, Diwali, and upcoming other festivals. Handmade carpets and rugs are works of art
Unlike machine-made rugs where knots are monotonously uniform, handmade carpets look unique and elegant – relaying life’s wondrous works with each knot. Give the festive gifts of textile art this season and share wonderfully unique handmade rugs. Quality rugs are a novel, thoughtful gift
It is a lesser-known fact that gifting quality carpets and rugs makes even the most luxurious connoisseurs happy. Why? Because nothing puts a smile on people like the concept of coziness during a period of festivities
Handmade rugs are gifts that give back
Sometimes, finding a perfect festival gift that’s just beautiful or practical isn’t enough, and this festive season, you can share your generosity two folds and gift the gift that gives back. All of your purchases will also help one weaver or the other in the most remote parts of the Indian regions earn a sustainable livelihood.
Carpets and rugs never go out of trend
As the cusp of the new year approaches, so does the urge for a home makeover. Be on the pulse of their interior decorating plans and help them make a statement by gifting the ultimate design trend of the next year: abstract rugs. This fun, the free-spirited interior trend takes inspiration from abstract expressionist artwork – helping even modest individuals express their personality.
Break the norms and get area rugs both online and offline to enhance this holiday season at Jaipur Rugs. Enjoy your shopping!
The GI label will assist the tourism industry by projecting a positive image of Kashmir. It’s a useful market-access tool as it adds value to the items that are designated this title, allowing them to access larger markets…reports Asian Lite News
Kashmir created history last month when for the first time GI-certified Kashmir silken carpets were exported to Germany, valued at around 40,000 Euros. Last year Srinagar scored a place in the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Crafts and Folk Arts Category for 2021. Following this development by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, launched Geographical Indication (GI) for the famed hand-knotted Kashmiri Carpets and granted the carpet trade a new lease of life.
Kashmiri hand-knotted carpets locally known as ‘Kalbaffi’ date their origin back to the 15th century. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin brought in carpet weavers from Persia and Central Asia to train the locals. These carpets are weighed in gold owing to the finesse of the weave and quality of wool and silk yarn.
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
The GI label will assist the tourism industry by projecting a positive image of Kashmir. It’s a useful market-access tool as it adds value to the items that are designated this title, allowing them to access larger markets.
The QR-code on all items will reveal information such as the name of the artisan, district of manufacture, knots per square inch, and the raw material used, among others. The GI branding will fetch the carpets their worth and will raise their standards to the Iranian and Turkish knotted carpet varieties.
Kashmir has long suffered due to misbranding of products in the international market claiming that they are Kashmir-brand. The cheap quality knock-offs in the international market eroded the trust of buyers. GI-tagging is a one-stop solution to all those problems that have low-balled the price of the original Kashmiri carpets. This initiative will motivate the younger generation to move to carpet weaving and shift their attention from the widespread terrorism in the valley to income generation.
In 2020-21, Germany emerged as the biggest importer of Kashmiri carpets worth Rs 115 crore. The UAE was the second biggest market at Rs 36 crore; and the US at Rs 34 crore. The Netherlands imported artwork worth Rs 22 crore.
The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CPEC), set up by the Ministry of Textile, has proposed the formation of a carpet village in the Sonawari area to regulate this business and secure jobs for the weavers. The village is envisioned to be a one-stop-shop for all carpet and weave needs for outsiders. The designs would be copyrighted for future generations. The tourism sector will highly benefit through this too as people will witness the art first-hand and it will increase their confidence in the product.
GI tag has been embraced by many colonies across the world as a mark of the originality of their produce. Switzerland does it for their watches, Russia for its Bashkir honey, Georgia for Tushuri Guda cheese, and the French for their specialty wine. It will be a guarantee to the buyers that their carpet was actually woven in Kashmir and by a Kashmiri.
The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Srinagar, has the authority to certify the carpets. First, the carpet dealers have to apply for the GI license and get their products audited for brand value. The products will be tested for standardization in knotting, the complexity of design, superiority/inferiority of silk used, and other such parameters. It takes Rs 150 per testing to get the tag. Customers who are unable to scan the barcode can check the product’s authenticity by typing an alphanumeric code found on the label into a web browser. The label has information that can be read with infrared equipment, and which cannot be reproduced or damaged. With this technology the government can map the movement of every single carpet and analyze market trends with it as well.
To partake in this programme artisans and manufacturers have to register with the Indian federal government’s office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks. The Geographical Indications Registry of India notes 25 authorized users in Kashmir as of now. And so far 54,000 artisans are registered with the Department of Handloom & Handicrafts in Kashmir.
A huge metamorphosis has taken shape in the JKUT post-2019. One such landmark change is the boost in sales of the nine products that were issued the GI tag — Kani Shawl, Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Sozini Craft, Kashmir Papier-Mache, Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband, Kashmiri Hand Knotted Carpets, Kashmir Saffron, and Basmati Rice.
In the past two years, Jammu & Kashmir Trade and Export Policy has been restructured per the suggestions by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. In the last few months, the UT government busied itself organising a myriad of buyer-seller meets, promotion events, and international publicity of handicraft and handloom products in the markets across the Gulf countries, especially at the Dubai Expo 2020.
With the LG’s visit to Dubai earlier this year and the subsequent visit of Gulf’s top-drawer businessmen that arrived last month, Jammu and Kashmir has solidified its relationship by signing six agreements to bring investments worth more than $2.5 billion (approximately Rs 18,568 crores) in the Union Territory and is expecting to attract another 70,000 crores in the following six months. All these events are in line with PM Modi’s vision of putting J&K on the world map, benefitting the common man ultimately.
In the last 3.5 years this industry and craftsmen have suffered, first because of insurgency and then because of frequent calls for ‘Hartal’ by separatist leaders. But this new dawn in the UT is addressing the challenges faced by industry and to create a sustainable, balanced, progressive, and competitive ecosystem in J&K.
The Persian floor coverings were hence re-made in Indian structures. These carpets spread to the whole subcontinent with each area having its own specialties…writes Puja Gupta.
Indians can’t avoid artistic perceptions in any of their creativity. India has been enormously honoured by having a rich legacy of craft skills assimilated through the rhythmic movement of historical events that rest upon cultural practices and strict convictions.
Changes and advancements have occurred from trade developments. The Indian carpets are a fruit of this rich heritage. They are known over the world for their dazzling plans, unpretentious class, appealing tones, and workmanship.
Historically, carpet weaving flourished under the Mughal reign. Mughals utilized the Persian method of carpet weaving, and at the same time were impacted by traditional designs and motifs from Persia.
“Mughal rugs were just about as dark as their miniatures and normally portrayed court life, creatures, and flower decorations. Mughal carpets were brilliantly hued and the hand-knotted silk carpets had 4,224 knots per square inch. The art grew and flourished here and it was modified as per the royal tastes and mixed with the Indian arts,” informs Vikas Gupta, CEO, Greyweave.com.
The Persian floor coverings were hence re-made in Indian structures. These carpets spread to the whole subcontinent with each area having its own specialties.
“The strength of handmade carpets lies in its distinctiveness, style, traditionalism, and encouraging innovations,” Gupta comments.
In contemporary India, important centers of carpet weaving in India include Mirzapur and Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, other than Agra and Varanasi which are rich places for woolen carpets and smooth textures. Srinagar in Kashmir, Jaipur in Rajasthan, and Warangal and Elluru in Andhra Pradesh are some of the well-known carpet-making urban communities, he highlights.
Speaking about the demand of different varieties of carpets, Gupta says, “Handmade Woolen Carpets, Tufted Woollen Carpets, Chain stitch Rugs, Pure Silk Carpets, Staple/Synthetic Carpets, Handmade Woolen Dhurries, have an immense market demand in the European and American market.”
India with a geological and social variety has assortments of carpets produced over the nation. Floor coverings from Jammu and Kashmir have an extraordinary interest in European business sectors.
The Indian Carpet Industry is energetic and has extensive potential for development. Presently, the government has taken dynamic measures to dispose of the existing deficiencies in the industry and at the same time produce great quality rugs.
The government has set up the Carpet Export Promotion Council of India (CEPC) to advance the fares of hand-knotted rugs and other floor covers. It gives vital help to the Indian exporters, recognizes the business sectors, gives monetary and advertising help, supports investment in fairs and presentations, and furthermore directs exposure abroad.
The longer a stain sits on carpeting, the harder it becomes to get rid of it…writes Puja Gupta.
Cleaning is a hectic work for most of the people. Most home decor products, including carpets and rugs, are designed to last many years, but this investment also comes with a responsibility of maintenance. Making a conscious choice of adding aesthetics and comfort to your home necessitates the right set of maintenance tools as well, so it continues to add beauty and value to your home in the long haul.
With the right tricks and tools, maintenance for carpet becomes hassle-free. Tools like a vacuum, a good stain remover, and a pair of scissors can ensure maximum restorative cleaning and minimum residue. Below are four tricks by Vikas Gupta, CEO, Greyweave.com.
Vacuum weekly. Using vacuum cleaners at least once a week prevents dirt and debris from becoming embedded in the carpet fibres. If the carpet area sees a lot of foot traffic or if you have a pet, you should vacuum more often. Keep in mind the type of vacuum. How you use it can make a noticeable difference. The vacuum should have an efficient airflow and its features should suit your cleaning requirements. Following a frequent vacuuming routine promotes a clean and healthy surface, helps in avoiding infections and reduces the chances of dust build-up on the fibres of the carpet.
Addressing spills on time. The longer a stain sits on carpeting, the harder it becomes to get rid of it. Always try removing the spill immediately by scooping or blotting, and then add a small amount of water and blot with a towel. Use a stain remover only if necessary, and only use the one that suits your type of carpeting. Always try to avoid scrubbing the fibres as it can make stains more prominent.
Fixing snags. Don’t pull the snags, instead gently cut them away from the base of the carpet using sharp scissors. Then, tuck the cut ends of the carpet back into the surrounding carpet fibres. The same ends can be carefully secured with a dab of quick fix glue or fabric glue to make sure there are no threads popping out. Clipping snags with scissors and discarding it completely is another effective way of fixing carpets and rugs.
Remove dents. You can remove dents caused by heavy and constant pressure easily by a simple trick that can fix them with minimal effort and no expense. Try placing ice cubes on the carpet dent to fill the spot and let the ice melt on it. The moisture from the slow-melting ice cubes will give the carpet fibres time to swell and enable the carpet to regain its original shape.
How do you take care of your carpets?.
The easiest way in maintaining your carpet’s appearance can be to prevent dirt and stains from reaching the carpet but it’s equally hard to stop the dirt and marks from coming in contact with your eye-catching carpet. What can be prevented is the settling of those dirt and stains into the depths of your carpet while making them most durable. Proper tidiness and frequent vacuuming can help you in keeping the carpets clean while making them last longer.
