Indian PM gifts Italian PM a Patan Patola scarf: What is the ancient Gujarat art form

Source: The post is based on the article “Indian PM gifts Italian PM a Patan Patola scarf: What is the ancient Gujarat art form” published in Indian Express on 17th November 2022

What is the News? 

The Prime Minister of India gifted a ‘Patan Patola’ scarf to the Prime Minister of Italy at the G20 summit.

What is Patan Patola?

Source: ANI

Patola is a double ikat woven fabric, usually made from silk in Patan (North Gujarat).

Note: Ikat, or ikkat, is a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employ resist dyeing on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric.

Origin: The ancient art of Patola dates back to the 11th century. It has its origins in an intricate and difficult technique of dyeing or knot dyeing, known as ‘bandhani’, on the warp and weft separately before weaving.

GI Tag: It received a Geographical Indication(GI) tag in 2013.

Practised by: One of the major practitioners of the Patola art form is the Salvi family from North Gujarat.

Making of Patola: Patola is woven on primitive hand-operated harness looms made out of rosewood and bamboo strips. The loom lies on a slant.

– The process is labour-intensive, time-consuming, and requires a high order of skill and expertise

– Wearing a Patola is considered a matter of pride, and this fabric has largely remained inaccessible to common people because of its high price.

Significance: In 1342 AD, the foreign traveller Ibn Batuta carried patolas as gifts to many kings. They were amply used in the 17th and 18th centuries as precious gift items.