Kinnauri Shawls

Widely renowned for the intricacy and finesse in weaving Kinnauri Shawls are unique. Their elaborate geometrical designs bear a strong Central Asian influence. Many of the motifs woven have a very special symbolic and religious significance. The colours used for ground are white, black, natural grey and brown. The main colours used for patterning are red, orange, pink, blue, green, yellow, black and white. Out of these five colours represent five elements—white stands for water, yellow for earth, red for fire, green for air and blue for aether. Many a times, they have patterned borders running all along the four edges thereby increasing the labour involved and making them more expensive than Kullu Shawls. Most of the shawls for commercial use are woven on the frame loom, though the ones for local use are still woven on the pitloom. Here the weaver weaves it in two pieces of half width each and later joins them from the center with elaborate hand stitching. This serves the dual purpose of function and ornamentation.