Indian Textiles

At Exotic India, we take great pride in the textiles section. From sarees and suits to home decor and accessories, each of our merchandise constitutes a wearable work of art. We source them from the most authentic of family-run handlooms in a bid to bring to fore India's endemic weaves, stitches, and embroideries. When one considers how each of them comes with a history and meaning all their own - for example, certain styles of textiles are meant to be worn during specific functions and by select castes of society, while some have evolved to particularly depict mythological episodes - one begins to appreciate the depth and diversity Indian textiles have to offer.

Irrespective of whether it is a saree, a bedspread, or an accessory like stoles and slippers, it is handpicked with the greatest care. We look for a flawless finish and stunning beauty. We want your guests to inwardly wonder where you got those cushion covers from, or for the saree or suit you buy to turn every head wherever you go. If your taste in fashion and home decor is unconventional, off the beaten track, quirky, then you have come to the right place.

Significance of Motifs on Textiles

Textures and motifs are the highlights of Indian textiles. Enriched with vibrant colors and themes inspired by religion, customs, culture. History, architecture, natural surroundings, and social beliefs, the motifs, and patterns created by Indian craftsmen are a symbol of artistic intellect. Indian motifs are an integration of indigenous and foreign styles due to our trade with foreign lands. Yet, the symbolic meaning of various motifs remains the same wherever they are applied.

Let us have a look at a few of the beautiful and intrinsically designed motifs in India:

Paisley motifs

These are characterized by colorful, curved abstract figures and are taken from the ancient Aryan botteh (Shrub) motif. It evolved from the 17th century floral and tree life designs used in Mughal textiles. The paisley design is rich in spiritual and symbolic meaning. In India, the paisley signified the time of harvest, a time of both socio-economic and spiritual significance. The Paisley motif was made for the King of India for royal purposes like crowns or court garments. Besides Kashmiri shawls, the paisley motif traditionally is widely used in beautiful Kanchipuram saree, Buttidar Baluchari saree of West- Bengal, Daccai Jamdanis, Banarasi brocade, Tanchoi silk saree, and white embroidery of Lucknow -chikankari embroidery, zardozi work, and Kantha embroidery.

Peacock motifs

The peacock motif was found on pottery excavated from the Indus valley site, in Mauryan Buddhist sculpture, Gupta period artifacts, Mughal miniatures, and in present-day wall paintings and textile indicating it as a potent symbol. It signifies love and beauty, immortality, courtship, fertility, celestial regalia, divine forces, and virtuous strength.

Bel Buti

The creeping vine motif (Bel) originated in Persia, Mughals adopted it as a motif in the ornamentation of textiles. The term buta or buti are Persian by origin but have symbolic value for Hindus and are used widely in Indian Sarees and textiles liberally to fill the empty spaces. . It is one of the most commonly used motifs by designers in Block printed fabrics of Muslipattnam.

The tree of Life

The Kalp- Taru, known as a symbol of wish fulfillment is depicted in this motif. With branches of a tree reaching out to the sky, roots deep in the earth, the motif projects the idea of sustenance of all life forms amid fertility, knowledge, nourishment, protection, and in the end death. During the Mughal period, it evolved into a widely used decorative motif and started appearing in textiles in varied naturalistic, geometric and abstract forms exclusive to the wealthiest classes only.

Floral motifs

These designs were introduced by Turkish and Persian invaders. Vied as a map of miniature paradise, Gardens had a symbolic significance for Mughals, they inspired designs in carpets made during the Mughal period. Most varied floral and natural motifs in Kashmir wore the testimony of Persian and Mughal influence.

The Beauty of the Weave

Talk about how each textile fabric in India is different from one another due to the process used to make it. Talk about the different weaving processes that require utmost skill, patience, and technique. Ikat, tapestry weave, embroidery, resist dye, silk and cotton yarns, etc. 300 words. 

One of the largest and oldest industries in India, the handloom industry preserves the vibrant culture of India. The hand spinning, weaving, and printing elegance of Indian artisans are unmatchable. Every state in India has a wide variety of handloom techniques that create unique fabrics. From centuries-old tapestry weave of battle scenes to Khadi clothes spun by Mahatma Gandhi, each Indian fabric and One of the largest and oldest industries in India, the handloom industry preserves the vibrant culture of weaving technique has a coveted history and style to boast about.  Be it Chanderi and ikat to muslins and chikankari, or the process of Indigo dyeing, cotton farms, silk production, and so on, the exquisite Indian fabric is a manifestation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of our country.

Ikkat from Orissa, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh: In India, there are many kinds of Ikkats weaving, this differs from region to region. Few examples are Patans Patola, Pochampali, Telia Rumals, Sambalpuri, etc. Ikat has also influenced weaving techniques in other countries like-, Indonesia, Japan, and other South-East Asian countries for millennia. This form of textile production is also popular in Central and South American countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico.

The tribal communities in the state of Mizoram weave their textiles, including the Apatani. Their eponymous cotton weave has nature-inspired geometric designs, with blue, red, and yellowish-orange being the predominant colors. The fabric is generally used to weave shawls known as jig-Jiro and jilan or jackets called supuntarii.

The Kalamkari has stories from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata woven within its layers, while Madhubani has the folklores of India aptly covered within its folds. The block prints add a unique touch to the layers of those 6 feet rolled garments while Batik allows the dye to dry out.

All these magnificent portray the patience and mystic beauty of the artisans who intertwine yarns to create stories that progress with each generation.

Unconventional Indian Textiles

Bomkai, Odisha

The Bomkai, named after the village it is woven in, stands out for its extra weft. The jala weaving technique results in Bomkai’s ikat design. The initial designs are embroidered with thread on a frame and then interwoven with the ikat pattern on the loom. The textile is woven in both cotton and silk, with motifs inspired by nature.

Bandhani or tie and dye from Gujarat

Tie and dye or bandhani is a derivative of the Sanskrit word 'bandh' which means to. Considering they come from one of the most culturally rich states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, bandhani in its full glory is a burst of vibrant colors and glasswork.

Telia Rumal, Telangana

Meaning “oily handkerchief", the textile is a double ikat weave. The yarn is treated with oil and castor ash to help it retain its color—hence the name. Each of the warp and weft yarns—which can be cotton or silk—are tied to the loom precisely before weaving. Usually, only three colors—red, white, and black—are used to create geometric motifs

Chanderi silk

These are produced from three kinds of fabric: pure silk, Chanderi cotton, and silk cotton. The fabric is among the finest in India and is known for its gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk, and opulent embroidery. Made originally by the silk artisans of Madhya Pradesh, this silk variation is loved by the country.