Indian Textiles

Indian textile tradition is the world's oldest textilealso popular abroad.(Muslin-a very thin cotton material)
tradition. The origin of indian textile can be traced back(Chintz-cotton cloth, usually printed with flowery
to the days of indus valley civilisation. Rigveda, thepatterns, that has a slightly shiny appearance). The
earliest of the Veda contains the literary informationpast traditions of the textile and handlooms can still be
about textiles and it refers to weaving. Ramayana andseen amongst the motifs, patterns, designs, and the old
Mahabharata, the eminent Indian epics depict thetechniques of weaving, still employed by the weavers.
existence of wide variety of fabrics in ancient India.Manufactured and exported to various countries, indian
These epics refer both to rich and stylized garmenttextile has found a place in the global market. In an
worn by the aristocrats and ordinary simple clothesextensive range, variety and the textile products are
worn by the common people. The fragments ofoffered, at economic prices. A wide range of textiles
cotton material originating from gujarat found in theincludes of Bed Linen, Curtains, Cushion Covers,
egyptian tombs support that discovery. There areDesigner Bags, Designer Sheets, Designer Shoes,
occasional comments about the textile craft in most ofHandmade Paper, Handmade Quilts, Kitchen Linen,
the ancient indian writings as well. Indian textile wasTable Linen, Wall Hangings etc. Differentt techniques
also exported to various countries since timecan be used in indian textiles like Bandhani or
immemorial. The history of vijayanagar empire (adTie-and-Dye, Batik print, hand block-printing,
1504), one of india's celebrated dynasties emphasizeMetal-thread Brocades, Chanderi etc to give a
that textile was an important trade. Indian geography,pleasent feeling to the decor. The contemporary Indian
climate, social customs, availability of the raw materialtextile not only reflects the splendid past but also cater
etc defines the art of indian textile.to the requirements of the modern times. The rich
India had numerous trade links with the outside worldtradition of textile in India has been favored by a
and Indian textiles were popular in the ancient world.number of factors. The favorable factors leading to
Indian silk was popular in Rome in the early centuries ofthe extensive growth of textile tradition in India follows.
the Christian era. Hoards of fragments of cottonIndian textile can also make delicate crafts using
material originating from Gujarat have been found invarious fabrics as basic material. The textile crafts
the Egyptian tombs at Fostat, belonging to 5th centuryranges from dress making to embroidery, knitting etc.
A.D. Cotton textiles were also exported to Chinathese crafts are basically undertaken a taste for
during the heydays of the silk route. Silk fabrics fromfashion and/or producing various items such as
south India were exported to Indonesia during the 13thclothing, furnishing, works of art etc. Clothes can make
century. India also exported printed cotton fabrics orextremely elegant crafts by the keen craftsmen and
chintz, to European countries and the Far East beforeusing different techniques. The modern techniques of
the coming of the Europeans to India. The British Easttextile crafts include crochet and lace making,
India Company also traded in Indian cotton and silkpatchwork, and run making, spinning and weaving,
fabrics, which included the famous Daccatapestry, batik and tie dyeing.
muslins.Muslins from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa wereFor more information click here......