India has a diverse and rich textile tradition. It has a wide range of textiles of varied designs, manufactured by different techniques as compared to other countries of the world. The specialty in the weave of the textiles in each region is developed based on location, climate and cultural influences. The origin of Indian textiles can be traced to the Indus valley civilization. The people of that civilization used homespun cotton for weaving their garments. Excavations at Harappa and Mohenjodaro, have unearthed household items like needles made of bone and wooden spindles, suggesting that the people would spin cotton at home to make yarn and finally garments.
Listed here few of the fabrics and prints of India.
KHADI
Khadi fabric, also known as khaddar, is a hand woven natural fibre made with cotton. The other variations of Khadi fabric include silk and wool. Khadi fabric originated during the time of Mahatma Gandhi when he led the Swadeshi Movement. This fabric has a rugged texture and feels comfortable when worn during winter season while also keeping one fresh in summers.
KALAMKARI — Andhra Pradesh
The name Kalamkari originates from Persian words qalam (pen) and kari (craftmanship). Andhra Pradesh is famous all over for this form of art. The major forms are Srikalahasthi from Chittoor district, and Machilipatnam Kalamkari of Krishna district. The whole process of Srikalahasthi Kalamkari involves seventeen steps such as block making followed by cloth treating, printing, and washing etc.
IKAT FABRIC — Pochampalli, Hyderabad
Ikat is an elaborate dying process done with silk or cotton fabrics. The final result is a piece of fabric bathed and sparkling in colored patterns. Most of the time, Orissa Ikat is linked to sarees. The ikat patterns are dyed and bonded into the yarns before the cloth is woven. This distinguishes it from the Tie and Dye process where the cloth is originally woven.
PATOLA FABRIC- Patan, Gujarat
Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India. The word patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. They are very expensive, once worn only by those belonging to royal and aristocratic families. These saris are popular among those who can afford the high prices. Velvet patola styles are also made in Surat. Patola-weaving is a closely guarded family tradition. There are three families in Patan that weave these highly prized double ikat saris. It is said that this technique is taught to no one in the family, but only to the sons. It can take six months to one year to make one sari due to the long process of dying each strand separately before weaving them together.Patola was woven in Surat, Ahmedabad and Patan.
KANJIVARAM — Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Kanjeevaram silk saree is a magnificent creation of the craftsmen living in a small town, Kanchi (Kanchipuram), situated near the Bangalore city of South India. The saree has been named after the town in which it is produced. The silk used in the creation of Kanjivaram saree is extremely fine as well as durable and is one of the most popular forms of silk in the state of Tamil Nadu. The bold and bright color of the sari is very much preferred by the South Indian women, whose trousseau remains incomplete without this amazing outfit.
Blog By :-
Ms. Pooja Somwanshi
Assistant Professor
Department of Fashion Design
Biyani Group of Colleges
