Patan Patola Saree, the saree from Gujrat is really a vanished art now?

Have you seen bollywood movie ‘Ram-Leela’?  If yes, then you must remember the song ‘Nagada Sang Dhol’, where the bronze goddess Dipika was dancing at her fullest with a layered Ghagra. 

Apart from the music, beat, and dancing steps, what makes the whole movie scene most iconic is the fabric of Dipika’s Ghaghra.

The geometric-shaped motifs and eye-burning bright colour make it so attractive that the whole look enhances her beauty thrice. 

It depicts making a girl feel like a Bolly-queen  wasn’t about crowns or beauty pageant tags; the secret lies in the fabric of the garment, just  like ‘Patan Patola.’

This Gujju fabric swirling around any woman just ‘makes a moment’ and ‘sets the whole vibe’.

History and evaluation of Patan Patola Saree

The history of the saree started during 12th century. King Kumarapala, a very renowned king of the Solanki Dynasty, was very fond of ‘Patan Patola Ikkat ’. The reason is its simplicity and purity. 

The auspicious appearance of this fabric makes it the only choice of the King as ‘Tallit’, a special prayer shawl which is worn specifically during performing puja.

Apart from making it a part of his daily prayer, he also ordered 700 weaver families to come and settle down in Patan from the neighbouring states, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

This tribe was then called Selvis.

Today, this grand army has dwindled into just three families. 

But the future of this ‘art’ is at stake. The master weavers who still carry this art today take almost four to six months to produce one single saree, which states that the Patan Patola artists are unable to fulfill the huge market demand of today’s fabric industry.

Specialty of Patan Patola Saree 

But do you know what is so special about Patan Patola?

It’s a Double Ikat, which means both the warp and the weft threads are tied and dyed with such mathematical precision that the saree looks gorgeous from both sides.

The wearer can put it on from any of the sides, as it looks super charming and identical from both ends.

Indigo, turmeric, pomegranate skin, and other natural resources are used to dye the threads, and then the weaving starts.

There’s a famous phrase in Gujarati which says: “Padi Patole bhat, fatey pan phitey nahin.” It means the cloth may tear, but the design should never fade. Its legacy was passed on from mother to daughter from generation to generation.

Patola’s traditional motifs also has its own stories; the Nari Kunj motif ( the dancing girls and their parrots ) is inspired by the Marathi Brahmins, and the geometric-shaped Chowkadi is inspired from the Jain community.

FAQs

1. Why is the saree called double Ikkat Patan Patola?

The saree is called double Ikkat Patan Patola because the warp and weft threads are woven in such a symmetrical way that the saree looks identical from both sides.

2. From where can you buy the Patan Patola Saree original?

Patan Patola Saree in India is famous in different stores. But Patan Patola Saree Online is also available on different websites.

3. Which celebrity is famous for wearing Patan Patola?

If you search on Google with the name, “ Patan Patola saree Nita Ambani’,  you will ghetto see so many Patan Patola looks of her.

4. Are Patan Patola saree designs famous?

Yes, the saree’s design is very famous. And the motifs are geometrically shaped, which makes the design very unique.

5. What is the Patan Patola price?

Patan Patola cost is very high as it takes 6 months to one year to weave, and the manufacturers are very few these days. Thatwhy many say that the saree will become extinct soon.