|
|
Patti: Another allied craft is the weaving of tweed
cloth called coats (cholas) etc. The fine wool obtained from the first
shearing of the lamb is used for making 'cholas'. A woman who weaves most
fine is generally paid a tribute in the shape of question " Are you
weaving for a Chola?"
Namdas: Also known as "felted wool" is made by beating
rather than weaving the wool Namdas were once very popular but they are
now almost vanishing as craft.
Gudmas: Blankets and bags are made from the wool of the 'Giangi'
sheep and usually come in natural colors with borders made in red and
black. The blankets are called 'Gudma' and are woven especially in the
Kullu valley as
this place has a special kind of clay that is used to clean and finish a
'Gudma'. Gudma is a very warm blanket and can be used in lace of quilt. A
special type of wool called 'Biang wool' having long fibres is used for
its manufacture.
Pullans: 'Pullans', foot-wears like the bed-room slippers, made
out of the fibres of 'bhang' are 
handicraft
in the upper reaches of Inner and Outer-Seraj in the Jalori and Bashleo
pass regions. The bottom of the footwear is made of the 'bhang' fibre
whereas the upper is made of goat hair called 'shell' and bhang fibre.
Very colourful designs are prepared for the upper. It is warm footwear and
is used inside the room also.
Basketry: Baskets in Himachal are made of a
high altitude species of bamboo called 'nargal'. In main Kullu Valley
baskets (pataris) are made in a few Harijan villages near Mohal, about
five miles from Kullu
. These people had their full trade in the past when fruits were
transported in the baskets by the orchardists.
Himachal's Caps: It would be both apt and hot to say that
Himachal's cap has done a commendable job of keeping a headcount of the
tradition of Himachal and its people. An oasis of colour a symphony in
design, an embroidered dream. Kullu cap is an extremely colourful
headgear, made of a wollen cloth with variety of colouful band of Shaneel
around it.
Kullu Shawls: Kullu Shawls occupy a place of pride in the
handicrafts of the district. Like the juicy red delicious and golden
apples, these exquisite specimens of art adoring the fair damsels of this
fairyland, are becoming increasingly popular as precious souveniers for
the tourists. 
'Pattoos' Pattoos are thicker and heavier than shawls. Ordinary
thick and rough once called 'Dohru' are used as bed blankets. The peculiar
use to which they are put to by women folk is like a sari with the
difference that the folds are in the front and the end does not cover the
head. Its both ends are pinned just below the shoulders on the front with
local silver broaches having long chains and called 'boomini' in the local
dialect.
The pattoo is tied round the waist with a piece of cloth called 'Gachi'.
The designs brilliantly coloured and in tune with the gay nature of the
people, come in the front and make the costumes extremely colourful,
lively and picturesque.
Plain shawls of 'Pashmina' locally called 'Loi' are woven by all sections
of people, whether Brahmins or Zamindars or other castes, in pitlooms
built in their houses. Those who are not rich enough, make shawls of wools
of wool.
The History Of Pattoos
The introduction of designs and flowers on 'pattoos' is said to have been
made by certain weaver families of Bushehar who had settled in this
district about 150 to 200 years back and some of their decendents still
continue this traditional line of passing on the craftsmanship from
generation to generation. These 'Paudar Pattoos" are still called
'Bushehari Dhari'.
Significance of Pattoos
The chief characterstic of shawl pattoo making in this district is the
involvement of the entire community, both as manufactures and purchasers.
These are mainly woven for personal use. No false notion of lost prestige
is associated with this craft. On the contrary, every family takes pride
in it and delightfully makes a present of it to its friends.
It has acquired a rather elevated status and heightened significance
because of the fact that the 'Pattoos' are worn by women folk and long
coats (cholas) by men while performing dances in fairs, festivals and
religious congerations. This gives a spiritual incentive and a feeling of
fulfilment of their religious aspirations.