A DOCUMENT ON ZALAKDOZI

INTRODUCTION TO ZALAKDOZI
Crewel or Hook embroidery is locally known as Zalakdozi. It is one of the specialized styles of embroidery practiced in Kashmir. It is chain stitch embroidery done with hook locally known as ari. It is a special work on carpet known as crewel for which chain stitch is the base supplement with satin and whip stitches.

HISTORY OF ZALAKDOZI Zalakdozi is hook embroidery, named after a hook resembled a crochet. John Irwin state that, Zalakdozi was probably introduced in Kashmir by Damascus craftsmen during sultan Zain-ul-Abidinis rule. Various articles are prepared by hook embroidery and one of them is Namada, a felt carpet. It is an important textile of Kashmir. Namada is either in white or various colours that is richly embroidery by wool with chain stitch. It is a special work on carpet known as crewed for which chain stitch is the base supplement with satin and whip stitches. The carpet designs selected for Namada ranged from Persian to French.

Kashmir embroidery perhaps is the most popular commercial embroidery not only because it has retained its rich heritage but also has made necessary adoption according to the likes, choices and demand of the market.

MOTIFS OF ZALAKDOZI
Motifs of Zalakdozi are mostly taken from nature. Animal and human figures are usually not seen due to Muslim influence. They are:

Chinar leaf,

Shikagarh, Theridar, Bulbuldar, Guldar, Badamadar, Kalka, Parrot,

Birds , etc.

COLOUR USED IN ZALAKDOZI

The base colour of the fabric is generally cream or white or similar pastel shades. A wide range of colours are used by the Kashmiri embroiders for the embroidery yarns including White - sufed, Green - zingari, Dark- green, Purple- uda, Blue- ferozi, Light blue, Yellow- zard, Black- mushki, Crimson- gulmor, Scarlet- kirmiz these are died exclusively in vegetable dyestuff.