Floods warm up Kangri sales

The floods may have brought distress to the trade and commerce in Kashmir, but for Kangri traders/weavers it has proved a blessing in disguise.
As per the vendors the business of Kangris (firepots) has witnessed manifold increase this season due to floods. “Many people in the flood-hit areas lost Kangris during the floods. Now, these people are thronging markets to buy new Kangris,” they said.
Even those houses which could save the kangris during the floods feel need of more kangris this season, the traders said.
“In the flood hit houses the dampness caused by water is resulting in more cold. To deal with such situation people purchase more kangris,” Muhammad Ismail, a Kangri seller at Batmalloo here said.
The sale of kangris has increased despite people complaining of soaring prices, with hawkers from different parts of the state thronging city centres with colourful kangris.
Kangri is a bowl-shaped clay pot surrounded by a willow basket with a handle. Once filled with embers, Kashmiris traditionally use it to keep themselves warm during winters.
“The demand for kangris has increased this year as compared to previous years. We are doing a good business. Every day I am selling more than 50 kangris which is quite satisfactory,” Muhammad Maqbool, a Kangri seller, said.
“Over the years, there was a dip in the demand, mainly due to introduction of modern gadgetry. But this year because of floods people are  switching back to traditional mode of heating which is more reliable and cheaper as compared the gadgets run on LPG or electricity,” he said.
The Kangri sellers said that despite intrusion of modern gadgets, Kangri still held its position in the market “and is source of livelihood for hundreds of families affiliated with this trade in Kashmir.”
Despite people complaining of soaring prices they are thronging markets to “bring home their trusted companion to brave cold.”
Jabeena Yusuf, who was purchasing Kangris at Batmalloo market said: “Floods damaged kangris at our home. So I have no other alternative than to buy new Kangris.”
“Prices of kangris have almost doubled in just one year,” Zahoor Ahmad, a consumer who was purchasing kangris at Lal Chowk here said, adding that still it is a necessity which you cannot abandon.”
“One can buy every possible classy electrical appliance, but given the unreliable power service in the Valley, it is the kangri alone which you can bank upon when it is cold,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a Srinagar resident.
To mention, Kangris are made across Kashmir Valley. However, artisans in some areas specialize in Kangri-making.