Rs. 18,500.00
See all Kubsa Handcrafted Textiles' Work
Kubsa's checkered black and white Ilkal sari is hand woven by two artisans, Chandrasekhar Vadigeri and Shantha, in tandem; and designed by Geeta Patil, who is transforming traditional textiles woven on the pit looms of Guledgudda, in northern Karnataka, through contemporary design.
The Ilkal sari of Karnataka has a Georgraphical Indicator (GI) tag, for a unique technique called the 'kondi' where the warp of a sari's cotton body is painstakingly interlocked to a silk warp for the 'pallu'. Exclusively done by women, more than 10,000 threads are individually looped and joined along the sari width. To complete the sari, two weavers work on the three-shuttle borders.
The sari gets its name from the town of Ilkal in Bagalkot district, Karnataka. Set in a cotton growing area, it once had a thriving weavers' community. Silk, introduced by merchants in the 18th century, was expensive, and used only for the 'pallu'. Attached using the 'kondi' technique, the traditional saree has a red silk pallu with white motifs.
Kubsa's Ilkal are a blend of locally sourced handspun cotton and mulberry silk, which create innovative textures on an otherwise plain cotton weave. The 'pallu' retains the characteristric geometric bands, with motifs like the 'latti gunni' or rolling pin, and 'tope teni' or millet.
It takes one week to weave one sari. Kubsa supports the entire ecosystem of artisan livelihoods, giving new life to this once ubiquitous textile.
Black (Azo Free) and White
Hand woven on a dobby loom with three shuttle weaving, and 'kondi' interlock technique for warping
70% Mulberry Silk, 30% Cotton body, Silk x Silk Pallu
Silk (22 denier) is locally sourced from Siddhalghatta, Karnataka, and cotton (2/120s count) is from Coimbatore. Handspun cotton from Mehsana.
224in x 48in, Pallu length: 30in
KUBS-23-08-SA
Dry clean only. Do not bleach. Warm iron
All our products are meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. Due to this process, there may be a variation from one item to the next. Such variations are inherent in the manufacturing of handmade products, so you may expect minor distinctions that will make your purchase special and truly one of a kind.
A small quantity is available for immediate dispatch, 3 days from receiving your order. No refunds or returns.