Shawls from the valley

This winter, get original handwoven cashmere and Pashmina shawls from Andraab, to keep you warm

This winter, get original handwoven cashmere and Pashmina shawls from Andraab, to keep you warm

After bringing Bangalore's famous Vimor saris to the city, the Artisans' Centre is now hosting Andraab, a label known for its exclusive handwoven and embroidered cashmere and Pashmina shawls.


Other than traditional Kashmiri embroideries Andraab
also makes contemporary designs

"Andraab is a valley in Afghanistan from where my ancestors migrated to Kashmir several years ago. That's where I get my surname and the brand name from," explains Mubashir Andraabi, who along with his twin brother Muzakir and elder brother Muzaffer, founded Andraab.

"Many artisans, who worked on Kashmiri shawls and embroidery have moved on from hand-weaving to machines because of the time and cost involved. But all our products are handwoven and we are trying to keep the tradition alive, while catering to contemporary designs as well," says Mubashir.

Mubashir, who used to work in Germany before, says that the idea for Andraab came suddenly to him one day when he saw a picture of a vintage Kashmiri shawl in the catalogue of an international auction house.

While several shops try and sell shawls such as Pashmina, Mubashir says that Pashmina is one of the loosely used terms. He further explains that not all cashmere is Pashmina as Pashmina (that comes from the word pashm) is the finest variety of cashmere and Kashmir is the only place where it is made.
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Cashmere, on the other hand, is found at several places. Pashmina was initially used only by the royals, not just because of its cost but also because of the numbers in which it was produced.


One of Andraab's handwoven Kashmiri shawls

The Jammu and Kashmir government is working towards putting an authentication logo in place, so that there is a benchmark for quality and authenticity, Mubashir informs.

Andraab is based in Jaipur (they have stores in Udaipur and Delhi as well) and is exhibiting its products for the first time in the city. On sale will be shawls, stoles, scarves, bed spreads, throws and wall hangings in silks and cashmere, wool and silk, pure silk and, of course, Pashmina.
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Other than the fine Sozni embroidery and shoe stitch embroidery that Kashmiri shawls are famous for, Andraab also recreates several vintage designs such as the Palampur style of painting in embroidery, motifs from British architect William Morris' works and the curling vines from the Deccan style of art.

Till January 15, 11 am to 7 pm
At Artisans' Centre, Rhythm house lane, Kala Ghoda.
Call 22672290

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