At sunrise, the iconic shikaras of Dal Lake glide beneath a canopy of vivid reds, blues and golds, turning the waterway into a moving exhibition. The traditional wooden boats, long a symbol of Kashmiri life, now wear hand‑painted panels that echo the valley’s folklore, architecture and seasonal moods.

The makeover is part of Aks‑e‑Kashmir, a public‑art project commissioned by Asian Paints in partnership with St+art Foundation, XXL Collective and local designers. Forty artisans and contemporary painters such as Owais Ahmed, Sheehij Kaul, Zahra Javed and Shweta Sharma have reimagined each vessel, blending classic motifs of carpets, papier‑mâché and walnut carving with modern colour palettes.

Beyond aesthetics, the colourful shikaras have become a lifeline for the boatmen who depend on them. Owners report that tourists now select the most striking boats, boosting fares and justifying the roughly ₹20,000 upkeep cost. For veterans like Mohamed Ashraf and Muzaffar Ahmed, the painted hulls are both a source of pride and a tangible investment in their families’ future.

The project demonstrates how public art can reinforce cultural memory while stimulating the local economy. By embedding stories of Kashmiri craftsmanship directly onto the vessels that ferry daily life, Aks‑e‑Kashmir invites visitors to experience heritage not behind glass but on the water itself, ensuring the shikara remains a living canvas for generations to come.

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