Patan Patola : India’s Famous Double Ikat Tradition


Patan Patola : India’s Famous Double Ikat Tradition



Former capital of Gujarat,  Patan is home to famous double ikat woven sari made from silk. The patolas are extremely expensive and once worn only by royal and aristocrat families. Patolas are also famous for its quality, colors, designing and durability. Patolas have attractive appearance with no reverse side. Each side has equal intensity of color and design. The word patola is derived from word patolu. Patolas also find its mention in one of the folk song of Gujarat, where the wife asks her husband to bring her the expensive patolas while returning. Patola wearing, which is a family tradition are priced on a higher side. One of its kinds Velvet Patola styles are also made in Surat.

Patan is the home for patola weaving. This weaving tradition is passed to families in Patan from generation to generation. There are families in Patan who is involved in the skilled art of weaving double ikat saries. The intricate wearing of patola takes six months to one year to make one sari. There is a long process of dying each strand separately before weaving them.

There is a strong belief that wearing the patola silk brings miraculous powers. It was because of this quality; the patolas are valued above other treasure in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. For them the magic cloth protects them from evil, in battle and from bad health. Today the patolas are gifted by effluent families to their daughters and daughters-in-laws on occasion of their marriage. The process of wearing patolas on holy occasions is considered to be the matter of pride in Indonesia.

Patola Weaving Process

Patola weaving is the intricate and complex process involving tie-dying on the wrap and weft before weaving. Patola weaving requires accurate mental calculations, vivid imagination, patience, focused attention and deftness of the hand. This valued weave is recognized by experts as a traditional and ancient art that needs to be preserved and promoted.

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