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Aks-e-Kashmir transforms traditional shikaras into vibrant canvases celebrating Kashmir’s heritage, while giving local boatmen a boost in tourism and livelihood opportunities

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 painted panels narrating stories of the Valley's folklore, architecture, crafts and breathtaking landscapes. Framed by the majestic Zabarwan mountains, the scene felt less like a boat ride and more like an open-air gallery drifting across the water.

Floating canvases

The transformation is part of Aks-e-Kashmir, a first-of-its-kind public art initiative by Asian Paints in collaboration with St+art Foundation, XXL Collective and local designers. Forty traditional shikaras have been reimagined by contemporary artists, turning one of Kashmir's most iconic symbols into an immersive cultural experience.

Interestingly, the project does not replace tradition with contemporary art—it builds upon it. The graceful wooden boats retain their unmistakable Kashmiri identity while becoming storytellers, each depicting a different facet of the Valley's rich cultural heritage. Some celebrate the intricate motifs of Kashmiri carpets and papier-mâché, others reinterpret walnut wood carving, old Srinagar architecture, blooming lotus flowers and the region's changing seasons. Artists Owais Ahmed, Sheehij Kaul, Zahra Javed and Shweta Sharma have used specialized paints, wood finishes and fabrics to ensure the boats preserve their traditional charm while acquiring a fresh visual identity capable of withstanding Kashmir's changing weather.