India Travel Articles

Top 10 Fabric Hotspots in India

Batik Work, Shantiniketan: Tagore`s own country Shantiniketan around 215 km from Kolkata is famous for the fine art of batik. In the Visva bharati University Batik art was introduced as a subject. Batik is a process of decorating cloth. It involves covering a part of the cloth with a coat of wax and then the cloth is dyed. Saris, dress material, bags, scarves, garments and dupattas are made in Batik designs all over Shantiniketan.

Muga Silk work, Saulkuchi

Sualkuchi located in Kamrup District on the bank of the river Brahmaputra about 35 kms from Guwahati is a place known as the silk village of Assam. The weaving tradition here can be traced back to the 11th century. The Muga silks weaved here are not dyed and is naturally golden-coloured.

Sambalpuri Textile, Sambalpur

Sambalpur in western Orissa is famous for the Sambalpuri handloom textile. The Sambalpuri Sarees are made using tie and dye method. Typical motifs include Fish, conch shell and flower done on both silk and cotton fabrics. Srimati Indira Gandhi was very fond of Sambalpuri Saris.

Mashru Fabric, Patan

Patan situated 130 km from Ahmedabad in Gujarat is not only famous for the Patola saris but also a distinctly unique fabric called Mashru. Patan is the main trade centre for Mashru weavers. Mashru has two faces, cotton on the reverse side of the fabric and silk on the outer. It would be interesting to note that the fabric was developed out of strict religious laws pertaining to Shar’ia.

Bandhani-Tie and Dye, Kutch

The Kutch region in Gujarat comprising Anjar, Mandvi, Bhuj, Khavda, Dhamanka, Tera and Bara produces the finest Bandhanis in India. Bandhani-tie and dye is the traditional handiwork of the Kutchi people. The process of tie(Bandhana )-dye done on cotton, gajji silk, fur, muslin is a relatively simple process but very difficult and time consuming.

Chikankari, Lucknow

Apart from Lucknavi cuisines, Nawabs and mannerisms the Chikankari of Lucknow (a work of embroidery) is famous in India as well as abroad. The old Lucknow area is famous for the Chikankari work. It`s a delicate and complex process of embroidery using primarily muslin clothes. Hazrat Ganj, Chowk area of old Lucknow has the maximum number of Chikan shops.

Banarasi Brocade, Varanasi

Varanasi the city of "Moksha" also excels in the fine art work of brocades with intricate designs of silk and gold threads. The Banarasi brocade also known as ‘Kinkhab’ is made by interweaving colored silk and gold threads. The resulting brocades in attractive designs are gorgeous and fascinating. There are around 10,000 shops selling Banarasi sarees in Varanasi.

Kalamkari, Srikalahasti

Temple town Srikalahasti in Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh just 60 km from Tirupati is famous for the Kalamkari style of textile printing. The word Kalamkari is derived from two Arabic words – Qalam meaning pen or stylus while Kari is work or craft. The 3,000-year-old craft which relies on free-hand drawing depicts mainly Hindu deities and mythology.

Silk city, Kanchipuram

The city of thousand temples and Sankaracharya Math, Kanchipuram is also known as Silk City. Nearly 3/4th of Kanchipuram`s population earns livelihood though the Silk Saree industry. The Kanchipuram Silk Saree and fabrics are hand-woven and contains elements of pure gold and silver. Several shops stocking those famous Silks are located on the road to the Sri Varadaraja Temple.

Kasuti Embroidery, Dharwad

Dharwad located 425 km northwest of Bangalore is famous for a traditional form of embroidery practiced in Karnataka known as Kasuti. Kasuti or Kashidakari is essentially an ancient form of embroidery going back to the 8th century. Kasuti work is being done entirely by women.