Legacy
‘Only 3 out of 700 families are preserving this auspiscious craft and carrying legacy since 12 AD’
LEGACY
Carrying Legacy from 1000 years
Migration of Salvi Community from Jalna to Patan in 12th Century AD is one of the noteworthy event in history of Patolas.
In 12th Century, Gujarat was ruled by Jain King Kumarpal who was accustomed to wear new Patola everyday for praying the diety Lord Parswanath. At that time, Patolas were produced in ‘Mungi Pattan’ near Jalna which were exported only after King would use them as bedsheet which made Patolas defiled. This made King Kumarpal to bring 700 Salvi Families From Jalna to Patan, he also accepted all conditions of Salvis to bring their religious teacher Chhatrasen Bhattash.
Originally Salvis belonged to Digambar Cult while King Kumarpal belonged to Swetambar Cult. The King did not like the difference hence asked his religious teacher Hemchandra Acharya to baptise the Salvis into Swetambar cult.
Patan Patola
Patan Patola is considered as King of Textiles as it needs highest level of craftmanship and accuracy. It is considered as a sacred cloth which has got divine powers. It symbolises Luxury and Royalty. A Patolu is known for its shine and lusture, the way it drapes , its fall and its never ending grace of colours. It is a precious heritage to preserve.
Characteristic which diffrentiates Patola from other textiles is its technique and Process. It is made through Double Ikat process in one heald shaft slant loom. In Patola, dyes are applied to yarn prior weaving where other textiles are printed or designed after weaving. In Patola, both warp and weft yarns are resist dyed for every single colour in azo free dyes.
Patola looms are different from frame looms(throw shuttle looms). There is only one heald shaft and no reed (comb like structure to beat weft yarns). The loom is only a frame with no mechanical motions. Two weavers sit simultaneously to weave and can weave upto 10inches per day. A patolu takes around 6 months to weave
– Starting from designing graphs, adjusting into saree’s main part and border pallu to critical mathematical calculations, to tie & dye to weaving whole saree or dupatta, it’s entirely hand made process.
– No mechanical equipments are used.
– So as Patan Patolas are made throughly by hand and tie-dye happens before weaving the fabric, Patola fabric is same on both sides. There is no front or back. Patolas have 2 sides pallu too, so saree can be worn from all 4 sides.
– Patan Patolas are said to be king of clothes due to their longivity and easy maintenance. The brightness of colours remains same forever, generation to generations..
– In entire world, there are only 3 Salvi families producing genuine patan patolas who hold GI 232 certificate from government.
– Natural dyed Patan Patolas are made from natural extracts like Madder, Indigo, Manjistha, Myroballan, Marigold, Anaito seeds, Lac, Pomengrenate peels etc.