Gujarati Poet Premanand of the 17th century, referred to patolas as
"Lakho pachhedi pandar kodi, Patola pachas vahuji"
Laish patolu shrikar, sadi nahi pehru"
I will have 300 upper cloths and fifty Patolas for marriage
I will have the Patola of shreekar (sacred shaped), but will not wear a saree
The elaborately intensive hand woven depiction of flora fauna, stylized elephants, motifs of flowers, jewels and abstracted geometrical patterns along with frolicking maidens dancing on the borders of the sari; all lauding the most beautiful textile craft form the world has ever known. This is the double Ikat craft form as practiced in Patan, a district in North Gujarat.
Though earlier woven in Palanpur and Ahmedabad today the Patola or the singular Patolu are synonymous with the city ofPatan in North Gujarat.
Before starting with the threads and colors, the process requires creative discovery within the mind of the weaver and Then tie and dye of the yarn both in the warp and the weft comes together as each pattern unfolds on the loom.
Take time off to look at a piece of Patola, really look at it! see the precision of how all the colours just match to form the auspicious motifs. Without any form of modern technology, the weavers are able to dye the yarns repeatedly to form the design, even before it goes on the loom.
The history, skill and aura created by this amazing creation in silk has made it an item worth the wait as each sari is an individual work of art taking anything between three to six months to complete.
To watch the masters of the craft at work, or order your own piece, visit
Vinayak and Bharat Salvi at Patan Patola Heritage +91 2766 231369,Patolawala Salvivado, Patolawala St.
or Ashok Salvi at Patolawala Farm House +91 2766 232172,
The price of saris start at 5000 and can go into Lakhs. Hard skilled labour and long time taken for making Patola, make it bit costlier.
Cost is depending on design pattern but one must remeber that a sati lasts for 80-100 years. It is, therefore, considered as an ornament and a priceless dignity.
For people who don't have a Patola in thier cupboard its time to start humming...."Chhelaji re mare hatu patan thi Patola mongha lavjo"
O my dear! Do bring the precious Patola from patan for me!
For more interesting read: http://gaatha.com/blog/?p=696
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