कुल्लू शॉल (Kullu Shawl)
Kullu shawls are handwoven wool textiles from the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, characterized by bold geometric patterns — typically temple border (mandir) motifs, diamond lattices, and stylized floral forms — worked in bright, contrasting colors on a plain twill-weave wool ground. Unlike the delicate silk traditions of the plains, Kullu weaving is a robust mountain textile tradition using locally reared sheep wool woven on a pit loom or, historically, a frame loom. The tradition is practiced by both men and women across the Kullu, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti valleys. The characteristic pattern bands are woven using supplementary weft in wool or angora, and the color palette — saturated reds, greens, yellows, and blues against natural gray or white wool ground — is immediately identifiable. GI Tag granted 2016.
Risk level: Endangered · Not inscribed; GI Tag 2016
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