Tehniyat تہنیت

MR23118
Weaves by Tai Khampti weavers | Handspun handwoven natural dyed Eri Silk
Spoken for
This sari’s drape and Pallu weaves are made by Tai Khampti weavers of Arunachal Pradesh. The weaves were made by the women of the tribe out of their own will, on their land, with encouraging compensation, supervised by the local family, providing livelihood over more than five years to those women who were either in the elderly years, single mothers, unemployed or untrained in weaving. The weave is a full bodied from drape to pallu intricate and dense weave with their local motifs.

The weaves are crafted using cotton yarn brought over from Tamil Nadu into these plains regions of Arunachal Pradesh. Tai Khampti community hails from a resilient lineage. It is believed that they made their way into the present day inhabitation through Myanmar crossing Namdapha forest range over days of walking, crossing rivers and clearing thick jungles. They came with their asset of elephants and the knowledge of how to train elephants. With these two bounties of their lineage, they stepped into this land and once upon the time were believed to be the most prosperous community, owing to their skill with elephants and timber production. With the ban on timber trade, many families lost their standing wealth. They had also carried with them their precious delicious Tai Khampti rice as well as two precious herbs. Along with all this, it is believed they carried their looms, oral stories as well as technique to weave.

These skills still remain and give pride and sustenance to many men and women.

Khampti means “place of Gold”. And indeed living with this community reflected that their lineage brings forward this space like a place of Gold.

The fragrance of Tai Khampti rice, a great fortune to experience.

To pay homage to the beautiful weaves of Tai Khampti tribe, I extended the canvas to Eri Silk. Both ivory white and cow-dung dyed.



Tehniyat is 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. Tehniyat 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 Radha is not included.

Buyer Empowerments

Eri silk aspect of Sari
Intrinsic
Value
Wearable textile made with ancient spinning, weaving and dyeing techniques. Home- reared, Hand spun, hand woven following indigenous methodology.
Soul
100 % natural, Protein-based, organic, hand-made, from nature-back to nature. Something to grow old with and then pass it on to loved ones.
Well-being Properties
Thermal insulation, Moisture absorption, UV protective, completely bio-degradable.
Tai Khampti weaves aspect of Sari
Intrinsic
Value
Indigenous textiles from Arunachal Pradesh that involves traditional handloom weaving collaborated into a Sari.
Soul
Mill spun mercerised cotton yarn with Azo-free dyeing.
Combined aspects of the Sari
Creative
Aspect
One of a kind heirloom textile that brings together Tai Khampti tribe weaving motifs with Eri Silk. Selvage of the weave brings a delicate intimacy of the two ends of the Sari.
Heft-Feel
Moderate
Weather/ Mood
Pleasant-not warm not cold.
Longevity
Eri Silk can last a lifetime if well looked after. The lose threads of the weave are a witness to it being a handwoven textile. Looking after those loose threads will add to longevity.
Care
Dry Clean only; Needs “Airing” in shadow, not direct sun. Do not wring. Occasional starch with uplift the drape. Be careful to not pull the yarn of weaves if ever they get entangled.
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.
Drape
Statement textile, heirloom, traditional translated to modern.
Concerns
Addressed
Made in rural household. Weaves made by artisan at home in available time- supporting farming lifestyle.
In support of slow movement.
In support of indigenous textile knowledge of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
No bargaining with artisans. Mutual decision-making.
No deadline/ pressure based work environment.
In support of natural dyeing through locally available resources.
Supports non- industrial tailoring skills.
Faith in up-skilling unskilled artisans.
In support of grassroots initiatives like Malkha India.
Read more on Buyer Empowerments ->
Tai Khampti weaves made with support from Nang Amlavati, Arunachal Pradesh.

Eri silk handspun, hand woven, natural dyed with supervision from Narmohan Das.

Cotton yarn for Tai Khampti weaves from Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Stitched by Gurmel Singh, Jalalabad, Punjab.

Beadwork by Param, Bathinda, Punjab.
Disclaimer:
Imperfections in the weaves reflect handmade
Irregularity in the dyes reflect natural process
Innocent spots in the textiles reflect being homemade
A work of nature cannot be sterile and error-free
A choice to still buy what we make is a step
Towards supporting original culture
Of people
Of nature
Of craft

A celebration of humanness.
Mora Collective 2025
designed by: MIDTOAN
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