MR23105

Kathaa

Natural dyed, handspun, handwoven Eri silk with Kalamkaari

Spoken for

The drape and pallu of the sari highlight a Kalamkaari interpretation of hand drawn panels ending with intricate details of peacocks. Kalamkaari is done on mulmul.

The base and pleats are handspun, hand woven Eri silk where we used turmeric dyed and non-dyed natural ivory to create a shaded denim-like effect. The turmeric used to dye the yarn is from Meghalaya, more specifically Khasi hills, is believed to be one of the least fugitive turmeric dye sources. The two different colours of warp and weft are woven on traditional throw shuttle loom of Assam. These looms are simplified older looms where the basic main frame is formed using four posts or pillars dug steady into mud ground.

The borders are lined with Indigo and lac dyed Eri Silk.

Kathaa is a one of a kind textile designed to highlight a unique coming together of various techniques and creativity of handcraft. This design will not be recreated. Kathaa comes with a blouse fabric designed to encourage mora fireflies to bring their own authentic spirit to the fabrication of blouse fit, usage of borders and edgings.

Blouse worn by Swati is not included.

Masterpieces are not single and solitary births; they are the outcome of many years of thinking in common, of thinking by the body of the people, so that the experience of the mass is behind the single voice.

—Virginia Woolf

Buyer Empowerments

Intrinsic
Value

Wearable textile made with traditional spinning, weaving and dyeing techniques that are slowly being abandoned in modern context.

Creative
Aspect

One of a kind wearable heirloom where Eri Silk holds the magnificence of Kalamkaari. Intentional brighter hue borders.

Heft-Feel

Light

Weather/ Mood

Pleasant- Thermal insulation so good for both summers and early winters.

Longevity

Texture will grow with time. Eri Silk needs a little care as it tends to leave room in the warp and weft overtime. The shades of natural dye will go through natural alterations as anything made with nature should.

Care

Dry clean recommended. Seasonal “Airing” in shadow, not direct sun. Do not wring. Recommended to not hang for storage.

State

Sari is ready to wear. All saris come with blouse fabric(s). No fall/ beading required. The blouse used in photoshoot is for representation only and may not be the same blouse available with the sari. The blouse fabric given with the sari will be more in alignment with the aesthetics intended.

Soul

Eri aspect is 100% natural, organic, hand-made, from nature-back to nature. Something to grow old with and then pass it on to loved ones. The shades will originally change with passage of time adding years to its organic life. Kalamkaari crafted on mulmul, involves both natural and not natural resources.

Drape

Elegant, up-lifting, hugging-body texture, modern.

Concerns
Addressed

Made in rural household. Weaves made by artisan at home in available time-supporting farming lifestyle.
Direct connect with artisan through the facilitator.
Reverse pyramid model-Fair benefit to all makers and facilitators. No bargaining with artisans. Mutual decision-making.
No deadline/ pressure based work environment made with need-greed, human-nature balance.
Slow production-slow movement product. Made less, made ethically.
Has gone through no chemical processing. Has gone through no machinery or mechanised processing units.

Well-being Properties

Thermal insulation, Moisture absorption, UV protective, completely bio-degradable, Climate conscious