Arts of Kashmir

"If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here."
—Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627)


Asia Society has a wonderful exhibit on the Arts of Kashmir. The textiles - shawls and clothing are the most beautiful. Also another interesting aspect was the syncretic nature of religious and cultural traditions, it had a Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim history.

The Arts of Kashmir is a major international loan exhibition of objects of exemplary quality devoted to the rich artistic tradition of Kashmir. For centuries the Kashmir valley has been a burgeoning arts center and cultural magnet. Covering the fourth century to the twentieth century, this exhibition is the first ever to be devoted to the extraordinary arts of this highly lauded location. Premier examples of Kashmir’s little-known works of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic art, along with famed craft works ranging from furniture and papier-mâché to carpets and embroidery, will be included to provide a sense of the broad artistic production of this region. The 136 works in the exhibition come from collections in the United States, Europe, and India. The highly respected curator of The Arts of Kashmir, Pratapaditya Pal, has been engaged with the art of Kashmir for more than thirty years

More information on the exhibit here.