Trible Textile & Handloom of Odisha
Odisha has a depth of weaving practices and techniques unparalleled in other parts of India. Most significant is Ikat; a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process. Double Ikat is an extremely difficult process whereby both the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. The pattern is revealed in the weaving process but set during the dying stage. Extremely difficult to master! The complex skills and time involved in weaving a double ikati sari ensures a unique gift.
The Bonda women weave their clothes, ringa, women wear of one and half feet in size and gasi, a loin cloth or men’s wear. Ringa is a piece of typical Bonda textile, prepared out of natural fibers collected from the bark of tree and spun, designed and weaven by the Bonda craftsperson. Bonda women are expert in weaving clothes in traditional handlooms and preparing bead necklaces, a rare variety of handicraft. They weave the cloth by a small handloom (Tenangtang), which is made of six pieces of wood planks. They make thread out the spinning fibres from the bark of a tree, called kerenga. The threads are dyed with vegetables colour. The ringa is woven with threads of different clour combinations, faded orange, yellow and red. It takes about 15 days for making a cloth.
The art of rope making is a significant aspect of Mankirdia economy. They harvest good variety of fibres by chopping and stripping the bark of seasoned siali (Lama Bayer) creepers collected from forest. In an open workshop, which sits in front of Kumbha, they tear the siali fibres into different sizes of course and thin threads and braid and twist them to get the finished products of ropes, slings, nets, bags and small baskets (topa). At times they use jutes as raw materials to prepare the ropes. These products have a great demand among the local peasants. The Juangs are experts in the crafts of bamboo combs (Barei Tangakat). Both men and women prepare the combs by using the simple tools like a special type of wood, knife, tiny saw, somer, thread, gum and needle. To make the combs beautiful they carve out impressive graphic pictures, floral or animal designs by heating thick needles. They make the combs for their personal use as well as for exchange of gifts among the beloved ones. This traditional art form has been already exposed to open market demand. Idital is an important traditional art form of wall painting drawn by the Saora Shaman. It is meant for the appeasement of Gods and ancestors.