What is Kangri?

About Kangri

• The Kangri, also known as Kanger or Kangid, is earthenware filled with glowing embers and encased in pretty handmade wicker baskets.
• It is a portable and moving heater that Kashmiris keep in their pheran, a long woollen cloak reaching down to the knees worn by people during the frosty winters.
• A pot can hold about 250 grams of charcoal, and the fire lasts for hours under a pheran.
• It keeps people warm during the harsh winter months, when temperatures can drop below minus 20 degrees.
• How is it made?
  • It is known for its outer shell made of willow wicker reeds that grow abundantly in the wetlands of north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. 
  • These reeds can reach eight feet in height and are harvested during autumn, just before demand for the fire pots swells. 
  • These then go through a multi-layered process of scraping and peeling to get rid of the bark, soaking, boiling, and drying before they are ready to be woven around a bowl-shaped clay pot.
  • The earthenware is decorated with colourful threads, mirrorwork, and sequins and is about six inches (150 mm) in diametre.

Q1) What are sequins?

Sequins are small, shiny, and often disc-shaped embellishments that are commonly used for decorative purposes, especially in the fashion and textile industry. They are typically made of metal or plastic and are attached to fabric to add sparkle and glamour to clothing, accessories, or other items. Sequins come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and they are often sewn or glued onto garments to create eye-catching patterns or designs. 

Source: Demand for traditional Kashmiri fire pot 'Kangri' surges as winters approach