Kataki Saree
The Kataki Saree, created by a cluster of weavers from Nuapatna, Cuttack is a style of weft ikat on silk and cotton. The motifs include Lord Jagannath, Dasavatara, other Gods and Goddesses, temple border, lotus, conch, wheel, fishes, animals and calligraphic forms. The saree is famous for its curvilinear and blurry patterns that is distinct to only Kataki Ikat. Preferred in an Odia household, kataki sarees also find their place at wedding celebrations.
Dongria Saree
Hand embroidered by the Kondh tribes of Niyamgiri hills, Dongria weave is synonymous to the tribe it is made by, both drenched in the earthiness of the Dongar they worship. Usually created on coarse cloth sourced from the Domb community, the Dongria weave has motifs of green, yellow and red. Green symbolizes fertility and prosperity, Yellow for peace and happiness, Red for energy and power. A vibrant representation of the mighty mountains and the culture ensconced in it, the Dongria weave is a rare item of clothing among handlooms.
Simnoi Saree
Originally a weave of Dhenkanal, Siminoi is symbolic of beauty in simplicity. As the original weaver families of Dhenkanal disbanded and scattered away, there is no particular cluster where Siminoi is produced. With a signature EkPhulia border and simple pallu with geometrical design, Siminoi is a beautifully effortless style of fabric weaving.
Lungi Gamucha
The humble lungi, a long cloth worn by common men and the complimentary Gamuccha or cotton towel are a great everyday wear with excellent breathability and comfort for the wearer. Lungi is often known as the humble cousin of the ceremonious Dhoti and Gamuccha an informal version of an angavastra. A gamuccha is a multitasker, doubling up as a head gear to protect from the sun when it is not acting as a towel. A lungi too, can be worn anytime of the day or even as a sleep wear for its ease of dressing in.
DhalaPathara Parada
Originally created in the village of Dhalapathar, Bolagarh, Dhalapatharparda is a weaving technique used in making curtains for the home. The patterns are inspired by the temple architecture of Odisha to give the entrance to one’s home a temple like appearance. Invented a century ago by Rangani weavers, the Dhalapatharparda is now GI tagged and recognized nationally. These intricate handwoven curtains are completely organic as everything, from the cotton to the plant sourced dye are natural.
Tassar Saree
Also known as the “kosa silk”, this lustrous, golden silk is sourced from wild silkworms of the jungles of South Asia. Processed and woven majorly by the tribes, the eternal elegance of the Tussar fabric lies in its rich texture, attributed to its wild origin as compared to cultivated silk; as well as its deep golden hue that plays diverse hues when subjected to light. Comfortable and warm for the wearer, Tussar has been the fabric of choice in parts of Eastern India.
Pasapali Saree
Pasapalli Saree is a traditional handloom saree of Sambalpur Odisha. The name Pasapalli is coming from pasa or gamblings games using a chessboard. These sarees have check patterns design like a chessboard. Created by the Meher community of Sambalpur and Bargarh, these sarees are colourful and contemporary to wear while simultaneously bearing the imprints of tradition.
Khandua Saree
Also known as Maniabandhi, Khandua is a style of Ikat weaving traced back to 12th AD century in origins. One of the most popular and ritually significant styles of ikat weaving, Khandua is resplendent with traditional motifs of temple, elephants, elaborate peacocks and the Nabagunjara. Khandua is perceived as auspicious and included in any Odia bride’s bridal trousseau. For Odisha, no anecdote regarding handlooms is complete without the treasured Khandua.
Geetagobinda Saree
The Gita Gobindapatta or the KenduliKhandua is a ceremonial fabric known as the favoured fabric of Lord Jagannath. Embossed with the divine verses of Gita Gobinda, it is said that the first Gita Gobindapatta was created by weavers as the poet Jayadeva recited his work and was completed by Lord Jagannath himself. The Gita Gobindapatta is an example of odia handloom fabric being entwined with the Jagannath cult of Odisha.
Kotpad Organic Saree
Created by the Mirgan community of Kotpad village, Kotpad weaving is an inherited art of weaving closely guarded inside the community. The Mirgan women process and dye organic cotton yarns, while the men weave the finished threads into the final cloth. The hand-woven cotton is dyed from Aul tree extracts and carry the impressions of tribal community life and nature surrounding it. The completely organic cotton cloth is a traditional inheritance that has stood the test of time and today is worn around the world.
Pitala cotton Saree
Handwoven by the weaver community of Pitala, Ganjam, Pitala cotton saree is an age old weave famous for artistic motifs and butis on coarse cotton. Created originally by the migrated weavers of Andhra and West Bengal for religious ceremonies, Pitala saree has evolved into its own unique style of clothing.
Bomkai Saree
The intricate threadwork of bomkai, created by the weaver community of Subarnapur , Odisha is a staple in an Odia bridal trousseau seen as heritage heirlooms passed down through generations of Odia womaen. Recognised as one of the Geographical indication of India, Bomkai saree is a sign of ceremony and affluence. Woven by the Bhulia tribe, Bomkai is one of the most renowned Odia weaves across India.
Berhampuri Pata Joda
The Berhampuri silk paata was patronized in 14th century AD by Mohuri kings in Berhampur. Famous for zari work and a temple border called ‘ Phoda kumbha’, Berhampuri silk paata is what renders Berhampur the moniker of Silk city. Traditional odissi motifs on shining yards of fine silk, the paata is a regal piece of clothing often chosen in ceremonies as the choice of dress by women and men alike. For women a berhampuripaata saree is a coveted possession, for men, a berhampurijoda brings in graceful grandeur on important occasions. Such is the splendour of the paata that even Lord Jagannath wears it on many days.
Habaspuri Saree
Woven by Kondha weavers of Chincheguda, Habaspuri saree is a diligently created piece of handloom with traditionally auspicious motifs of fish, flowers and the kumbha. The Habaspuri saree is more about the motifs and patterns inspired from natural abundance and auspicious forms of fishes and flowers than it is about the fabric. The GI tagged handloom fabric of Odisha is rare and precious because it is produced by only one community of weavers in Odisha and nowhere else.
Sonpuri Saree
Sonepuri is an extraordinary fabric that results from the confluence of two extremely popular components of the Orissa textiles. In its simplest, Sonepuri can be explained as an extra weft technique on a pit loom.It is an outcome of Ikat and embroidery interwoven into each other. The borders are often in contrasting colors and the pallus marked by intricate threadwork. The motifs on the `Sonepuri are inspired from nature and tribal art, giving the saree a fascinating look that makes it perfect for aristocracy.