Patola Silk Saree
The Patola Silk Sarees are one of the finest varieties of handloom silk saree from Gujarat. Patola sarees are woven with great clarity and precision.
They are well known all over the world for their highly delicate patterns. These sarees are woven by master weavers on a special type of silk called ‘Patola Silk’. Patola means “Queen of Silks”. Geometric designs with folk motifs and flaming colors are characteristic features of Patola Sarees.
Each Patola saree reflects the skill and imagination of the weaver and is exclusive by nature. Patan and Surat are famous destinations of Patola Sarees.
Patola Sarees a Symbol of Status
Traditionally created by the Hindu Salvi caste and traded to South–East Asia by the Muslim Vohra community.
These costly and high-status-oriented Patola sarees were worn by the Vohras and well-off Jains and Hindus (Brahmins and Bhatia traders) for weddings and other propitious occasions.
The sarees became symbol of status and part of wedding brocade dresses and from then on, are regarded as best pure silk bridal wears.
Types of Patola Silk Saree :
Depending on the pattern of weaving there are two types of Patola sarees –
- Rajkot Patola and
- Patan Patola.
Fabric in Patola Silk Saree :
Patola sarees are woven from silk called the ‘Patola silk’. The Patola silks are still made by a handful of master weavers from Patan and Surat known best for their zari work.
Making of Patola Silk Saree :
Patola sarees are the hand made sarees which are produced in the large quantities in Patan. Even Surat has become much more famous for producing Patola sarees.
Patola sarees are famous for its delicate, beautiful and clear pattern which is done with great accuracy and skill. Patola sarees are made with handlooms and so according to its design and pattern it takes time for producing this sarees.
These sarees have intricate five-colour designs, resist-dyed into both warp and weft threads before weaving, resulting in a completely reversible fabric.
The weaving is done on simple traditional handlooms. Each fabric consists of a series of warp threads and a single weft thread, which binds the warp threads together.
Each one of the warp threads is tied and dyed according to the pattern of the saree, such that the knotted portions of the thread do not catch the colours.
The result is that both sides of the saree look exactly alike as if it is printed on both sides with the same design, and can be worn either way.
Time consumption of Patola Silk Saree :
Patola sarees are the most time consuming and elaborate sarees created in the western region. These sarees are created with great precision, exactness and perfection by the artisans of the western region.
Depending on the complexity of design and length, a Patola saree takes 4-6 months for completion. If the design of this saree is very hard and if the length of saree is more, then it may require more skill and more time to produce it.
Techniques darted in weaving of Patola sarees:
The Patola saree is one of the finest hand-woven sarees produced today. Patola silk sarees are the pride of Gujarat. These sarees are created by using the resist dying technique. There are two types of Patola sarees.
- Rajkot Patola: This is only vertically resisting dyed (single ikkat).
- Patan Patola: This is horizontally-resist dyed (double ikkat).
Patola sarees are known for their flaming bright colors and geometric designs are interwoven with folk motifs. Every Patola saree is one of its kinds as it is created entirely with the imagination and skill of the weaver.
