Sandstorm-Brown Sambalpuri Handloom Saree from Odisha with Ikat Woven Border and Pallu

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Ikat textile is not an indigenous art that originated from India but it is believed to have come from Indonesia and other countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand. The word “Ikat” has come from the Malaysian/Indonesian word Mengikat which refers to tying a bundle of yarn or threads together. The weaving style of Ikat sarees is special and unique. Although the motifs and patterns on these sarees may look simpler, it involves a complex weaving technique that gives a distinctive look to them. Ikat sarees are much loved in India for they add grace and elegance to a woman's overall beauty. The Ikat textile art has been practiced in India for over a thousand years and in recent years or decades, it has majorly developed in three states which are Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat. Eventually, these regions evolved their own style of designing and weaving Ikat sarees so much so that they are in high demand even in the international fashion world.

The characteristic designs of Ikat sarees are little blurred, multicolored and complex or complicated patterns, and the most common motifs are squares, hearts, paisleys, hexagons, diamonds, etc. The process of producing Ikat patterns requires hard labor and is usually done by skilled and experienced artisans. The steps involved in the process are as mentioned below:

Since Ikat designs are created by directly dyeing the yarns rather than the cloth, they are formed on both sides and hence there is no need of giving a special finish to the saree. Ikat sarees come in many varieties of designs and patterns. Simple patterned sarees may take between 20 to 30 days to complete while the process may even go on for months to produce a detailed saree. Ikat sarees remain one of the most sought-after sarees among Indian women and their love for these is only increasing day by day.