Dal Lake Turns Into An Open-Air Art Gallery With 40 Vibrant Shikaras
As my shikara sliced silently through the glutinous waters of Dal Lake, the morning sun danced across gentle ripples while kingfishers skimmed the surface overhead. Around every bend floated bursts of crimson, saffron, cobalt and emerald. The familiar wooden boats or shikharas that have ferried generations of visitors across Kashmir's most celebrated lake had become moving works of art, their…
On a tranquil morning, Dharavi's glimmering Dal Lake transformed into an open-air art gallery as forty traditional shikaras were reimagined by contemporary artists. These wooden boats, which have ferried generations of visitors across the lake, became floating canvases adorned with vibrant colors and intricate motifs depicting the Valley's rich cultural heritage.
The project, Aks-e-Kashmir, is a collaboration between Asian Paints, St+art Foundation, XXL Collective and local designers, aiming to blend tradition with contemporary art.
The boats, freshly painted with specialized paints and finishes, now tell stories of folklore, architecture, crafts and landscapes while retaining their distinct Kashmiri identity. Visitors are captivated by these artistic transformations, pausing to admire, photograph and even choose their rides based on the artwork. This initiative has also provided a boost to the boatmen, who see the makeover as an investment in their livelihoods, as the aesthetically pleasing boats attract more tourists and, consequently, more business.
For the locals, this project has restored pride in their cultural heritage while enhancing the overall experience of visiting Dal Lake. The initiative not only beautifies the destination but also preserves and revives age-old traditions, ensuring that the shikara continues to sail confidently into the future, carrying not just people but stories of art, culture and livelihoods.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
