Ikat Design:
Following NABARD’s withdrawal, Ikat weavers aim to assume control, manage operations and grow the business.
- Ikat design originates from the Indonesian/Malay word ‘mengikat’, meaning to bind.
- It features a resist dyeing process where threads are dyed before weaving.
- The fabrics exhibit unique ‘blurred’ effects due to slight misalignments of threads.
- Ancient references to ikat include the Buddhist ‘Lalitavistara Sutra’ and the Ajanta caves murals.
- These references mention ‘Vichitra Patolaka’, associated with the double ikat or patola of Gujarat.
- Types of Ikat And GI tag:
- Single Ikat: Dyeing involves either the warp or the weft threads, simpler and quicker to produce.
- Double Ikat: Both warp and weft threads are intricately resist-dyed for precise alignment, known for their complexity.
- Patan’s Patola from Gujarat is known for its double ikat and received a GI tag in 2013.
- Rajkot Patola, a simpler single ikat variant from Gujarat, also received a GI tag in 2013.
- Odisha’s Bandha specialises in single ikat with GI-tagged styles like Sambalpuri Ikat (2010) and Bomkai (2009).
- Telangana’s Telia Rumal is famous for its oil-treated threads that enhance colour depth and received a GI tag in 2020 and Pochampally Ikat is known for its geometric patterns and received a GI tag in 2005.
