Weaves and Crafts of India

"Chelaji Re, Mare Hatu Patan thi Patola Mongha Lavjo" - My Dear, do bring the precious patan patola for me. This popular folk song from Gujarat echoes the desire of all women wanting a patola in their trousseau. Once an exclusive inheritance of royalty and aristocracy, and also known as "The cloth of Kings", patola sarees are continuation of an art revered not just for its religious significance across many faiths, but amazing level of skill and perseverance required to make it. From being mentioned in Kalpsutra, a 2000-year-old Jain holy book, to carvings in the Ajanta caves, and numerous folk...

Saaj, Kasano, Khariyanu, Kat, Gach, Vichharnu and Rang, the words and the meanings to which the many of us wouldn't be familiar to but for the Khatri artisans of Ajrakhpur these words are the daily basis of their existence. These are the names of the back breaking processes which combine to create the lyrical symmetry printing pattern popularly known as Ajrakh. The Khatri artisans preserving this millennia-old tradition and technique of block print art Ajrakh, were invited by the erstwhile ruler of Kutch, Rao Bharmalji – I (1586–1631), from Sindh who gave them permission to settle and earn their livelihoods...