Kangri: Kashmir’s Timeless Winter Companion That Outshines Modern Gadgets

Srinagar: Kangri and the people of Kashmir in winter are as linked as the legendary Layla and her lover Majnun, and currently, this connection is fervently thriving.

The valley is enduring frigid conditions, with Srinagar marking its coldest night of this century at minus 8.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday (December 21, 2024). Therefore, kangri, the traditional firepot filled with hot coals, is the first object a Kashmiri reaches for each morning during the frigid four months in the valley, when temperatures drop significantly below freezing.

The quintessential reliable shield against the biting cold, kangri, or kanger as referred to by Kashmiris, consists of a clay pot (kondul) encased in a multi-layered wicker structure with dual handles, rendering it a portable heater.

As the chinar trees’ leaves shift to a deep crimson, signifying the arrival of Harud (autumn), these firepots are prepared and stored in abundance for the impending harsh winter days that will soon envelop the valley.

The timeless kangri: a representation of warmth, tradition, and Kashmiri heritage (ETV Bharat)

Mastering the art of maneuvering a hot kangri beneath the pheran—the loose, long woollen robe inherent to the area—is what defines a genuine Kashmiri. Many can comfortably keep it nestled beneath heavy blankets throughout the night. This prevalent firepot, which is also referenced in the 12th-century account Rajatarangini by Kashmiri historian Kalhana, serves additional purposes—roasting potatoes, carrots, and eggs to satisfy winter cravings while confined indoors or burning incense for its fragrance or izband seeds (wild rue), believed to repel the evil eye.

An elegantly designed kangri filled with almonds is a customary gift for a newlywed daughter prior to her first winter in her new home. The highly esteemed Chrar Kangri from Charar-e-Sharief features an intricately crafted willow casing and is among the top three recognized types, with the others originating from Bandipora and Anantnag, each boasting unique designs and durability. Furthermore, there are kangris made in other regions of Kashmir, each type with its own specific strength and design.

Aside from the social aspect, the heated charcoal-filled kangri has been employed as a rudimentary weapon to confront adversaries during minor disputes or political confrontations, a perilous and occasionally ludicrous sight that invokes both ire and amusement among onlookers.

Street vendor displaying a variety of colorful kangris for sale in Srinagar (ETV Bharat)

In Kulgam, south Kashmir, approximately 65 km from the capital Srinagar, numerous villages have mastered the art of making kangris. Annually, these artisans get engaged in crafting thousands of traditional firepots.

Nazir Ahmad Mir, 50, who learned the craft of weaving kangris in his village, has been gathering twigs from marshy areas. These are boiled, stripped, and dried to create the wicker that is then woven around earthen pots to form the firepots.

“For the past 30 years, this business has supported my family. It takes me one and a half hours to weave a single kangri. Our village produces 1200 kangris a month for sale to traders,” states Mir from Bumrath village, who himself crafts five of these firepots each day.

Artisan creating kangris with utmost precision (ETV Bharat)

“Each kangri is sold for Rs 150-200 based on demand. Kangris from certain other regions command even higher prices.”

However, demand and pricing have diminished this year, laments Mir. “Modern electric heating devices have impacted our trade. Presently, the demand is lower. The government should extend financial assistance like soft loans similar to farmers’ Kisan Credit Cards to help sustain this craft,” he adds.

Ahsan Ul Haq Banday, a trader from Srinagar who has introduced Turkish wooden heaters, observes a rise in demand for contemporary heating devices. Even underfloor electric heating systems in Kashmir are experiencing a growing interest, but the inconsistent electricity supply hinders its broader implementation.

“Each year, we see an uptick in Turkish Bukhari,” Banday informed ETV Bharat. This is clear as his shipments have increased from one to three containers this year compared to the past five years.

“The heater is secure, dependable, and economical,” Banday asserts. A single Turkish heater is priced between Rs 18,000-1,75000 depending on the model with features like cooking facilities and an oven.

“We provide 25 models and the demand is escalating not only in Kashmir but in Ladakh as well for these items, especially during the record low temperatures. Electric heating systems or air conditioners operate inconsistently in extreme cold accompanied by erratic power supply.”

Nevertheless, many cannot afford these, thus relying solely on the traditional firepot. For instance, Gulzar Ahmad from downtown Srinagar, a daily wage worker, mentions that his family of three, including two school-age children, has no access to warm water this winter due to soaring electricity rates and the installation of smart meters. He claims that the kangri is the only device providing warmth during the harshest 40 days of chillai kalan that begins on December 21.

The valley falls short of approximately one-third of the 2,500-megawatt electricity demand in winter, prompting power cuts that range from four to 12 hours daily, rendering even portable electric heaters ineffective.

A senior engineer from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited, wishing to remain anonymous, indicated that they are striving to provide continuous power supply. He noted that power reform initiatives…

Initiatives such as intelligent meters and insulated wires are in progress in addition to enhancing electricity generation capacity to mitigate theft and enhance electricity distribution.

However, contemporary heating systems, observes poet-satirist Zareef Ahmad Zareef, are improbable to supplant the iconic kangri as it holds a unique significance in the heritage and culture of Kashmir. While several draw comparisons with Italy’s Brazier, the lineage of kangri has transitioned over the ages from the basic manan (a sizable clay pot) to its present form: the intricately designed willow casing adorned with vibrant hues, influenced by travelers from Central Asia.

Kangris showcased at a roadside stall, attracting winter customers. (ETV Bharat)

“Not only has the kanger been influenced but also the pheran has transformed under Central Asian influences,” asserts Zareef. “Just as a coat or gown does not alter the function of a pheran, modern heating systems cannot substitute a kanger with a pheran. It provides warmth to every part of the body—hands, legs, and even the face.”

That said, if a kangri is mishandled, it can lead to burns or even fires, damaging properties and risking lives. Additionally, there are isolated incidents of fatalities caused by suffocation when used in inadequately ventilated spaces. Moreover, beyond these safety risks, the use of these firepots is also linked to a unique form of skin cancer that has been documented for over 150 years. This affliction is termed ‘Kangri cancer,’ a nomenclature introduced by W.J. Elmslie, who arrived in Kashmir and established a missionary dispensary in 1865.

A year afterward, he reported the elevated occurrence of this grave illness in the inaugural edition of the Indian Medical Gazette. A heat-induced skin carcinoma (cancer that forms in the outer skin layers), it manifests along the inner thigh and lower abdomen—regions that frequently come into contact with the kangri.

The Regional Cancer Centre of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, alone has been documenting around 60 such instances each year.

Dr. Malik Tariq Rasool, a radiation oncologist who has treated and researched numerous such patients at the institute, states that awareness and the substitution of the Kangri with modern heating devices have significantly reduced the severe disease.

“Kangri cancer predominantly affects individuals above 60, as it can take nearly two decades for the heat to damage the skin,” the oncologist elucidates. “What begins as skin discoloration due to cellular harm may progress into a life-threatening cancer over time. In the next 40 years, we may not observe this ailment.”

In light of these health and safety concerns—and considering the tale of star-crossed lovers Layla and Majnun—caution is recommended before embracing that kangri during the chilly winter nights in Kashmir.

Read More

1. Kashmir Weather: Srinagar Freezes at Minus 8.5, Coldest Since 1974
2. Harshest Winter Period ‘Chillai Kalan’ Begins In Kashmir Amid Persistent Dry Spell