CRAFT TECHNIQUE: Kutchi Weaving + Indigo
KUTCHI WEAVING: the Meghwal community from Rajasthan (India) migrated to Kutch (Gujarat, India), bringing with them the art of handloom weaving. Traditionally, weavers used hand spun yarn provided by Rabaris, a nomadic comunity of sheep and goat herders. Kutchi Weaving is known for its incorporation of distintive traditional motifs and natural colours in medium to heavy weight textiles. The beauty of Kutchi Weaving is the designing of woven motifs by hand much like an inlay tapestry.
BHUJODI, now a popular Kutch weavers village, is base for the "Bhujodi Weavers Cooperative". This group of few enterprising weavers was created as a response to the market declination of 1960's (when artisans were forced to adapt to the larger markets demands and to look for non-local clients), bringing together all the local weavers. These Bhujodi's weavers, focus as much as possible, in keeping alive their traditions, in the use of natural dyeing, of natural yarn, etc; and institutions engage themselves in helping the weavers communities, the VANKARS, building sustainable businesses.
INDIGO is a highly revered dye among the craftsmen. They believe that a cow that drinks the solution becomes stronger and that if they eat with Indigo-stained hands, there won’t be any problems with the food or digestion. They say that Indigo has the power to turn anything natural. Wearing Indigo dyed fabric is thereby considered auspicious.
LAC is taken from insect resin and has been used in Indian crafts for centuries.
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