Kashmiri Sozni Embroidery

Sozni is one of the finest, exquisite and luxurious hand embroidery form, from Kashmir valley in India. The word 'sozan' means needle in Persian; and thus 'sozan-kaari' or 'sozni' equates to this incredibly beautiful delicate needlework. It is practised mostly by Kashmiri men, either at home or commercial workshops (called as karkhanas). Sozni embroidery is a very time consuming craft (sometimes it takes up to 6 months or more also) and requires adept craftsmanship and dedication.

The process of embroidery begins with a professional designer or naqash, who either draws a new design on a tracing paper and then carves the same on a walnut wooden block, or selects a design from hundreds of earlier carved blocks, and then using a washable chemical ink or charcoal powder, creates the imprints of the carved block on to the fabric. Now the master craftsman selects the color palette for the design and creates a sample embroidery pattern, which is then handed over to another professional kaarigar for completion. Once finished, the product is washed and cleaned before it is ready for the market.

Almost all of the embroidered cashmere pashmina shawls and stoles are very thin needle Sozni work - using woollen or silk threads - as these threads lend a very rich look and feel - with the soft and delicate pashmina wool fabric!

The rich cultural heritage of the valley, colorful flora and fauna & picturesque landscape has deep influence on the Kashmiri people and is their constant source of inspiration, which is very evident in their choice of embroidery motifs as well. Marigold, daffodils, rose vines, chinar leaves, paisleys, parrots, canary, woodpecker, etc. are the most popular motifs in all forms of Kashmiri embroidery.

Most definitely, the exceptional skill of artisans and the unparalleled beauty of Kashmiri Sozni embroidery truly merit admiration and preservation!