KASHMIRI WOOLLEN RUG, DESI CHAI AND THE WARMTH OF GULAB SINGH'S CITY

Today namda is in the process of getting a GI tag but namda can't get its due if its marketing teams don't understand what it does in adding festivity to winter homes in Jammu and Kashmir.

- VENUS UPADHAYAYA

As I spread the beautiful "namda" on the floor this winter in my Delhi home, a flood of childhood memories brought forth an immense joy. Winters in Nanaji's (maternal grandfather's) home in old Jammu city meant: sitting on the namda, sipping desi chai and eating Kashmiri roti.

Namda or the felted Kashmiri woollen rug was a part of our winter lifestyle for it was taken out only during winters. Nanaji, whom we called Baji, had a namda decorated with the most beautiful azureous big flowers and the view of him and nani sitting on it, sipping desi chai and beaming big smiles is etched in my cultural makeup.

In other words, namda became synonymous with warmth, winters and the many cuddles that my grandparents would give the little-me. As I grew up I went looking for the namda in the old market around the Raghunath bazar but could never find the one like in Baji's home.

Recreating that winter scene of my grandparents' old Jammu home also became impossible with travel and work. However, a few years ago while visiting Srinagar, I visited the Kashmir Government Arts Emporium housed in the historical British Residency building and bought an eye-catching namda. It allowed me to relive a winter's custom of grandparents.

Today when I took it out from the storage-just the sight and the feel of its warm texture and bright colours transported me to Baji's home and their smiles exalted my breath to childhood joys.

Today namda is in the process of getting a GI tag but around the winter lands in India and the Christmas homes abroad, namda can't get its due if its marketing teams don't understand what it does in adding festivity to winter homes in Jammu and Kashmir. It just brightens up the interiors of the home and the interiors of the human hearts who spread it.

KASHMIRI ROTI AND DESI CHAI