The Tribune... Regional Vignettes

Regional vignettes

Chandigarh, Saturday, July 18, 1998

The tall deodars present a spectacular sight

Patni Top: Inviting in all seasons
By Suraj Saraf
FROM the lush groves on the Patni Top range, one gets a breathtaking view of natural grandeur. On one side there are deep gorges and mountains with the hill resort of Kud (altitude 5,600 ft) sprawling on both sides of the snaky highway, and on the other side there is the splendid hill resort of Batote (alt 5200 ft).
Eye-catching woodwork
by Deepshikha Khaira
HOSHIARPUR, a peaceful Punjab town near the Himachal and Punjab border, is known for its famous choes. But very few know that it is equally known for woodwork, especially, lacquer craft. The various artefacts made include the traditional madhaanis (used to churn milk), charkhaas (spinning wheels), small baby walkers or redaahs, cradles, tables, diwaans and special lac peedahs.

Patni Top: Inviting in all seasons
By Suraj Saraf
FROM the lush groves on the Patni Top range, one gets a breathtaking view of natural grandeur. On one side there are deep gorges and mountains with the hill resort of Kud (altitude 5,600 ft) sprawling on both sides of the snaky highway, and on the other side there is the splendid hill resort of Batote (alt 5200 ft).
Patni Top is, indeed, a garland of glorious, velvety glades that open before one’s eyes as one ascends a little on the right side of the national highway, about 110 km from the capital city of Jammu.
As one enters the woods in Ladha Dhar, one is tempted to go further and explore the green forest. Shortly one comes across the towering range of Shiv Garh (about 10,000 ft), forming a spectacular backdrop.
Patni Top has aptly been hailed as the Queen of Jammu Hills and nature lovers rightly describe it as an “ideal health resort inviting in all seasons”. What nature can do for mankind is amply reflected in these meadows of Patni Top, endowed with mineral water springs and excellent mountaineering and trekking routes. The atmosphere is calm and refreshing and the gentle breeze that rustles through the thick foliage is invigorating.
This is an ideal holiday haunt throughout the year. One can enjoy skating on ice in winter, while mountaineering and trekking can be taken up during summer. Moreover, one escapes the scorching heat of the plains during the summer months. The spring and autumn offer the Himalayan grandeur at its best. The snow- blanketed deohar trees and slopes during winter are a stunning spectacle.
Little wonder that when in the early ‘ 70s the Indian Tourism Development Corporation decided to set up a chain of 17 youth hostels “to generate youth travel within India and from abroad”, Patni Top was the first to be commissioned. A refreshing ambience

With that began the period of accelerated development of this Queen of Jammu hills for which the central government also pumped in crores of rupees. Earlier there was only one forest hut. With the construction of the youth hostels, there was no looking back as by and by a number of tourist huts were set up in the thickets.
As the number of visitors started escalating, private hoteliers also came in. The state government also set up the Patni Top Development Authority to prevent haphazard construction.
Besides having spectacular scenic surroundings, Patni Top has other attractions for tourists. There is the Shiv Garh peak, having an attitude of 10000 ft. It has a sprawling meadow at the top and offers a panoramic view. On the other side, Patni Top is linked by a 14- km motorable road with Sonasar (golden meadow) ensconced amid higher ranges that open to the snow- peaked Pir-Panchal.
Both Sonasar and Patni Top were discovered by the British chief conservator of forests in J&K, Sir Peter Clerk, who also got constructed a road that linked the two.
Patni Top is linked with Kud and Batote by bridle path. The areas has many springs too.
It is also linked with the well-known pilgrimage centre, Sudh Mahadev, by an 8 - km bridle path. Sudh Mahadev is held sacred by Shiva devotees. It has an ancient Shiva shrine with magnificent idols of Shiva, Parvati and Nandi in black stone. Two other centres of pilgrimage nearby are Gauri Kund and Mantalai. Both highlight different Shiva legends.
Near Patni Top, there is also an ancient Naga temple. It is located amid dense forests in Karlah, where some private hotels have also come up. It is barely about a kilometre from Patni Top.
Indeed, this entire area, is full of captivating cultural vignettes and art wealth. Many festivals are held in these mountainous pockets, enabling visitors to enjoy the striking local dances and songs.

Eye-catching woodwork
by Deepshikha Khaira
HOSHIARPUR, a peaceful Punjab town near the Himachal and Punjab border, is known for its famous choes. But very few know that it is equally known for woodwork, especially, lacquer craft. The various artefacts made include the traditional madhaanis (used to churn milk), charkhaas (spinning wheels), small baby walkers or redaahs, cradles, tables, diwaans and special lac peedahs.
Balkaar Singh has been into this craft since the last two decades. He has set up his workshop in his home. It is equipped with machines used for cutting, chiselling and polishing. He and his team of three work for about 10 hours a day in this workshop. First of all the required wood is bought. Only holoptelia integrifolia, commonly known as rajain or chilbil is used because of its termite resistance, light weight and soft white colour, that takes the other colours easily.
The wood is seasoned well and then as per the product to be made, the required shapes are cut out. Initially, this was done manually but now automated machines facilitate precision in cutting and design reproduction. These spindle-shaped pieces or paawaas are then finished by scraping them clean with sandpaper to smooth out all roughness. Once this is done, colour is applied. All colours are made from lac obtained from an insect lacifera lacca, that houses itself on trees like kikar, ber and shahtoot etc. The lac is mixed with various other colour pigments. Mostly peedahs are in two colours but at times many colours are urged as in case of charkhas and madhaanis. In such cases, the lightest colour is applied first on the finished paawaa and then layers of dark, still darker colours follow. Later, as per the design, these layers of colours are scraped off with the help of thin iron scrapers or patris and the final, colourful design emerges out. The product is then lightly rubbed with a piece of wood obtained from the stem of date palm. It is the part of the stalk that bears the fruit.
This finishes off the rough edges of the layers of colours scraped off previously. Finally, mustard oil is smeared on the product which is then cleaned thoroughly with a fine cloth. These finished paawaas are then, assembled to get the final product. The designs are either geometrical ‘phulkari’ designs or floral vines. It takes about two-three days to make one chair.
The low seat of these high back peedahs is made of jute or sutri, which is generally cream or white in colour. Occasionally it is dyed to match the colour of the peedahs, as in the picture. Even plastic cane is used for the seat if the customer desires.
As said earlier, Balkaar Singh makes a variety of artefacts. A charkha of his fetched him a first prize in lacquer craft in the state award competition in year 1981-82. Lac peedahs have found their entry into our drawing rooms on the basis of their sheer charm, comfort and light weight. No wonder they are so much sought after.