3 days ago
Dal Lake’s Shikaras Become Floating Galleries Celebrating Kashmir
Forty traditional boats on Kashmir’s Dal Lake have been painted with colorful artworks.
The project is called Aks-e-Kashmir.
Different boats show stories about Kashmir’s crafts, buildings, nature and traditions.
The boats still look and function like traditional shikaras.
Visitors are stopping to admire and photograph them.
Boatmen hope the attractive boats will bring more customers.
Painting and maintaining a shikara can be expensive for boat owners.
The organizers want art to be seen in everyday places, not only inside galleries.
They also hope the project helps protect Kashmir’s cultural heritage and supports tourism.
Aks-e-Kashmir transformed 40 traditional Dal Lake shikaras into moving artworks.
Asian Paints collaborated with St+art Foundation, XXL Collective and local designers on the initiative.
The boats depict Kashmiri crafts, folklore, architecture, landscapes, flowers and seasonal traditions.
Boatmen said the makeovers could attract more tourists while reducing their repainting and maintenance burden.
Organizers said the project aims to promote cultural tourism and recognition for local artists and artisans.
- Who
- Asian Paints Ltd., St+art Foundation, XXL Collective, local designers, contemporary artists and Dal Lake boatmen are involved.
- What
- The Aks-e-Kashmir initiative turned 40 traditional shikaras into painted, floating works of public art.
- Where
- Dal Lake in Kashmir, framed by the Zabarwan Mountains.
- When
- The transformation was presented at the initiative’s launch; the articles do not give a date.
- Why
- The organizers said it was intended to celebrate Kashmiri heritage, promote cultural tourism, recognize local artists and potentially support boatmen’s livelihoods.
Key facts
- Initiative
- Aks-e-Kashmir
- Number of boats
- 40 traditional shikaras
- Collaborators
- Asian Paints Ltd., St+art Foundation, XXL Collective and local designers
- Artwork themes
- Kashmiri carpets, papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, Srinagar architecture, lotus flowers, seasons and landscapes
- Repainting cost cited
- Boatman Mohamed Ashraf said repainting and maintaining a shikara costs around ₹20,000.
- Boat value cited
- Boatman Muzaffar Ahmed said his deodar-wood shikara is worth around ₹3.5 lakh.
- Ride price cited
- Muzaffar Ahmed said he charges around ₹900 for an hour’s ride.
Quotes
Mohamed Ashraf
A 42-year-old Dal Lake shikara boatman interviewed about the project’s effect on his livelihood.
“This shikara is how I earn my living. We all want our boats to look attractive because tourists naturally choose the prettier ones. In this age of social media, the boat's aesthetics have become very important. But repainting and maintaining them costs around ₹20,000, and that's a big expense for many of us.”
freepressjournal.in
“People don't realize how much maintenance these boats need. The biggest challenge is making sure water doesn't seep into the wood because that damages the boat. Even though I charge around ₹900 for an hour's ride, a large part of what I earn goes into maintaining it.”
freepressjournal.in
Amit Syngle
Managing Director and CEO of Asian Paints Ltd., speaking at the project launch.
“Every shikara tells a different story of Kashmir. Each one celebrates a unique aspect of the Valley—its crafts, folklore, festivals, architecture and natural beauty. We hope initiatives like these encourage cultural tourism while creating greater recognition for local artists and artisans.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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