Photos | Kangris: Earthen wicker pots that keep Kashmir warm

As winter inches towards sub-zero temperatures in the Kashmir region, traditional wicker based firepots known as Kangris start cropping up in marketplaces --an enduring local solution to braving harsh winters along with the long flowing robes known as Pherans.

Updated on: Dec 11, 2017 1:30 PM IST

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A man transports bundles of willow sticks in a small boat on the outskirts of Srinagar. These sticks are used to make the Kangri, traditional portable firepots kept inside the Pheran— a woollen Kashmiri cloak. With the onset of winter and temperatures in the region headed towards sub-zero, these firepots serve as mobile heaters and have been an age old emblem of the season. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A man unloads bundles of willow twigs next to a kiln for processing. Manufacturing these artisanal pots is laborious and requires craftsmanship. Twigs are collected from deciduous shrubs and willow trees, the outer bark scraped and peeled after a process of soaking and drying, finally woven around bowl-shaped earthenware. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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Stacks of willow twigs tied in bundles are left out to dry before being boiled on the outskirts of Srinagar. The traditional wicker craft is in its last throes with demand declining as time passes. A lack in promoting this indigenous craft and a gradual shift towards plastic alternatives are among primary cause for its dwindling state. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A man boils wicker sticks to soften the outer skin, prior to their dehusking for making Kangris. Hundreds of families in Kashmir depend on this trade, with artisans of different regions making distinct and fashionable firepots. The wicker weaving technique is also used to make durable furniture and storage items. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A boy is seen dehusking willow twigs near Srinagar. The Kangri is an economical personal heater when venturing out in the region’s sub-zero winters. Its worth is especially notable in areas where electricity can be scarce and charcoal, which powers these pots is cheaper than gas or oil based alternatives. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A detailed view of the special apparatus known as Zelan used in separating twigs from the boiled wicker sticks. Zelan is a pair of sturdy sticks sprung tightly together. The softened willow is then placed between slight gaps and pulled to and fro, breaking away the bark to reveal the softer pliable reed inside. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A Kashmiri roadside vendor displays Kangris waiting for customers in Srinagar. The finished products are decorated with colourful threads, sequins and mirror-work. The Kangris can be kept by one’s side or also within the Pheran, creating a warm cocoon. However, regular use of the pot inside the coat is known to cause a heat-based carcinoma, local to Kashmir called ‘Kangri cancer.’ (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

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A Kashmiri man inspects a Kangri before purchasing it in Srinagar. These portable pots are considered an enduring symbol of local craft and widely associated as a cost-effective means of battling the region’s biting winters. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)