S1 E16 - “Ikat- Poetry of the Loom“
Ikat is derived from Indonesian mengikat, meaning “to tie” – a reference to the distinctive technique used to create them.; a complex, skill-intensive process of marking, tying and dyeing the design into the yarn. This centuries old weaving process so tedious and painstaking that Ikat has been termed as ‘Poetry of the Loom’ yields a beautiful product with an intentional bleed that has a slightly blurry or fuzzy appearance. Probably the only weave that has a design language & interpretation worldwide in about 30 countries across Central & South East Asia, The Americas, Africa, Middle East & many more...Even across India the 3 main states weaving Ikat namely Gujarat, Orissa & AP/Telengana have very distinct design language & interpretations & then there is Ikat found in various other states too like we saw the Ikat being done on Pashmina in Kashmir!
अबnoरmal proudly presents “Touring Talkies”
Season 1 “Kanyakumari se Kashmir tak - Ek Sari-torial Safar”.
This weekend our Sari-torial Safar takes a world tour to look at the basics of Ikat - single vs double Ikat, warp vs weft vs composite Ikat, Ikat vs other tie & dye techniques. We also look at differences in Ikat weaving style language across the world & India. And, then we focus on focus on the Telia Rumaal method for the oil treatment of yarn. Originally from Chirala in Andhra Pradesh & now the pride of Puttapaka village of Nalgonda district in Telangana; in May 2020 the Puttapaka Telia Rumal was accorded with Geographical indication (GI) tag. Once patronised by the Nizams of Hyderabad this weave is unique to only AP/Telengana.
Our Guest Speakers today are Padmashri Gajam Govardhana Garu an Indian master weaver, known for his mastery over the art of Ikkat dyeing of Telia Rumal tradition and for his handloom creations.
He is also a recipient of many awards such as the UNESCO Award for excellence (2002),National Master Weaver Award (2006) among others.
Assisting Gajam Garu & me is Sridevi Gottipatti an immunologist by training & a textiles aficionado who runs her label “Icchha Vastra by Sridevi”.
Please sit back & enjoy the video we have filmed. Hope you appreciate our sincerity of effort & do provide constructive feedback, comments & suggestions.
