The making of Kashmiri willow cricket bats - in pictures

  • The village of Sangam is known for its Kashmiri willow bats manufactured by decades-old stores such as the NSS Bat Factory, which was started in 1980. All photos: Kalpana Sunder
    The village of Sangam is known for its Kashmiri willow bats manufactured by decades-old stores such as the NSS Bat Factory, which was started in 1980. All photos: Kalpana Sunder
  • Gargantuan hoardings and advertisements of Indian and Pakistani cricketers festoon the fronts of the shops lining the highway.
    Gargantuan hoardings and advertisements of Indian and Pakistani cricketers festoon the fronts of the shops lining the highway.
  • Willow clefts stacked up to dry at the NSS Factory.
    Willow clefts stacked up to dry at the NSS Factory.
  • A worker engaged in shearing the correct amount of wood and shaping the bat.
    A worker engaged in shearing the correct amount of wood and shaping the bat.
  • Handles are made separately and then attached to each bat.
    Handles are made separately and then attached to each bat.
  • The NSS Factory store manager holds up an unadorned bat.
    The NSS Factory store manager holds up an unadorned bat.
  • Nearly completed bats with grips that need polishing.
    Nearly completed bats with grips that need polishing.
  • Finished bats on sale at the store.
    Finished bats on sale at the store.
  • Autographed bats at the NSS Factory.
    Autographed bats at the NSS Factory.