Kashmir is one of the best-known places for handicrafts. Out of many handicrafts, willow working or wicker working is one of the popular handicrafts in Kashmir. Wicker working is still economically a sound craft. The experienced and well-skilled artisans of wicker working are called kaanil in the Kashmiri language. Kangri is one of the most popular inventions of wicker working. Though The inventor is not known to anyone still his invention has made him known to everyone. Kangri is not only a traditional item but also an all-weather friend to Kashmiries. This invention has saved a lot of poor men and women in the chilling weather. As such, there is no scientific invention that can replace it. It is because no electronic gadget can be taken anywhere under the pheran. The pheran is a traditional Kashmiri dress (long robe). It does not matter whether you are working inside home or outside the home, Kangri can be taken to anywhere by anyone.

The use of Kangri is never expensive. It works on black coal formed by burning twigs, leaves, agricultural wastes, cow dung cakes, timber scraps, and firewood. Simply, it makes use of the dry trash easily available in our surroundings.
In winter when frequent electricity cuts disturb people and cold waves add to the miseries, kangri comes to the rescue of people. You can see people sitting on the roadsides talking in high pitch only because of Kangri under their pherans. Kangri has a psychological effect. It makes you confident that no chill can harm you. It enables you to move freely. Kangri is the best friend of old people. It is taken to mosques where pious people pray and praise Allah. It is shared with those who are shivering from the cold in the mosque. It develops a spirit of humanity and sympathy.
The art of weaving kangri is still a profitable job in Kashmir. Numerous people make their bread by weaving Kangries with thin, soft, and long spikes of various shrubs found in sloppy and parched patches of land. These spike-shaped twigs are called kaani in the Kashmiri language. The word kaanil means a person who uses spike-like twigs to make baskets and kaangries.
Potters are also playing a crucial role in making Kangri because the baked clayey pot inside willow work is their product. Without this clay pot (kundal) kangri can't be woven. So potters' role and involvement are undetachable.
Skilled artisans have designed kangri in different styles which are very attractive.
Though the use of kangri is easy still some precautionary measures should be kept in mind before its use.
It should be kept away from the reach of small children.
It should not be loaded with fire up to the brim.
Most people keep it under the legs and thighs to keep themselves warm. However, the continuous use of Kangri causes a slightly painless burning of skin on the legs and thighs. This brown spot on the skin caused by the kangri is called Naar tout in Kashmiri. It disappears in the summer but those who become addicted to Kangri sometimes become the worst hit of its side effects.
In short, Kangri is one of the most wonderful articles of our tradition. It is an economical and all-weather friend that still exists in the technological era. We all love it and like to have it in our lap, particularly in the harshest period of chill.

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