From Tamil Nadu To Uttarakhand: Mapping India's Weaving Traditions

The weaves of India represent a rich tapestry of cultural heritage and craftsmanship, reflecting the diverse traditions and histories of the subcontinent. Each region in India boasts its unique weaving techniques, patterns, and materials, resulting in a variety of textiles that are both artistically exquisite and functionally versatile. While some weaves are well-known, others live in obscurity. As part of our mission at Memeraki to protect our artistic heritage, we collated all the weaves we know of with this map.

Weaving is an ancient technique that has been used for textiles all over the world for centuries. Weavers use a variety of materials, including thread, yarn, and fabric, to create intricate patterns in cloth. While the process may be simple in theory, weaving can be quite complex and require a great deal of skill.

In India, weaving is a long-standing tradition that has been passed down through the generations. The country is known for its intricate weaves and stunning textile production. The first evidence of weaving in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which was active from 3300-1300 BCE. 

Back then, the main purpose of weaving was to create clothing and fabric for use in everyday life. However, over time, weaving has come to be seen as a form of art, and Indian weavers have become highly skilled at creating beautiful and intricate patterns. The end result is a stunning piece of cloth that can be used for clothing, bedding, or home decor. Whether it is Bengal or Hyderabad, handloom weavers of India have been facing the same kind of problems. From being symbols of cultural expansion to having their thumbs cut off by Englishmen, Indian weavers have endured and persisted through major political upheavals in the subcontinent.

Today, weaving is not only a traditional craft but also a popular hobby, enjoyed by many people all over India. There are many different types of weaves, and each has its own unique look and feel. If you're interested in learning more about these amazing art forms, keep reading!

Weaving Traditions Across India 

Gujarat

Mashru Weaving

Dhabla Shawl Weaving

Kharad Weaving

Tanchoi Silk Weave

Tangaliya Weave

Patola weave

Pachedi Weave

Kachchh Shawls

Kutch Weaving

Rajasthan

Dari weaving

Pattu Weaving

Kota Doria Weave

Jaipuri Rajai Weave

Jammu and Kashmir

Kani Weave

KashmirI Pashmina

Pattu weave

Uttar Pradesh

Kimkhab Weave

bhadohi carpets

Mirzapur Handmade Dari

Agra durries

Jamdani weaves

Naqsha brocade weaving

Tanchoi

Manipur

Wangkhei phee weave

Shapee lanphee

Karnataka

Ilkal Weave

Molkalmuru Silk Weave

Patteda anchu sari weave

Navalgund Durries

Mysore Silk Weave

udupi sarees

Leh Ladakh

Challi-Woolen Weaving

Punjab

Khes Weave

Arunachal Pradesh

Singpho Weaving

Pailibo Weaving

Mishmi weaving

Tuensung shawls

Apatani

Tsug-dul and Tsug- gdan

Haryana

Panja Weave

Nagaland

Chakhesang shawl

Tsungkotepsu

Goa

Kunbi weave

Assam

Gadu or Mirijim weave

Bodo Weaving

Eri Silk Weaving

Muga Silk Weaving

Maharashtra

Himru Weave

Paithani Weave

Ghongadi Weave

Chindi Dhurries

Karvath Kathi Sari Weaving

Tamil Nadu

Kandagi Weave

Koorainadu Weave

Kanchipuram Brocade Weave

Jamakkalam Weave

Kodali Karuppur Weave

Kornadu Weave

Arani Silk Weave

Kovai Cora Cotton Weave

Kodambakam

Poornakumbham cotton weaving

Himachal Pradesh

Galecha

Kullu Shawls

Thobi

Numdha

Gudma

Uttarakhand

Panchachuli Weave

Chutka Blanket

Loi Blanket

Neetle fibre weaving or bichchu booti weaving

Kerala

Balarampur Saree Weaving

kasaragod saree weave

Chennamangalam handlooms

Kasavu Sari Weave

Daman and Diu

Mat Weaving

Meghalaya

Eri weave

Tap-moh khlieh

Mizoram

Puanchei

Moirang phee

Ngotekherh

Pawndum

Tawlhlohpuan

Tripura

Laisingphee Weaving

Sikkim

Lepcha Weave

Andhra Pradesh

Venkatagiri Weave

Annibuta Saree Weave

Uppada Jamdani Weave

Malkha Khadi

Bandarulanka Saree

Dharmavaram Handloom

Telangana

Pochampalli Ikat Weaving

Gadwal Weave

Telia Rumal

Siddipet gollabama

Odisha

Bomkai Weave

Sambalpuri Weave

Dhalapathar Parda Weave

Habaspuri Saree

Khandua Weave

Pasapali Saree

Bihar

Bhagalpuri Weaving; Sikki Weaving

Chattisgarh

Kosa Silk Weave

Pata Weave

Champa Silk Weave

Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi Weave

Maheshwari Weave

West Bengal

Jamdani Weave

Dhaniakhali Weave

Madur Kathi weave

Begumpuri Weave

Shantipur/Santipore Weave

Baluchari Weave

Jharkhand

Kuchai Silk Weave

About MeMeraki:
MeMeraki (www.memeraki.com) is India’s first ‘culture-tech’ platform using technology to empower and accelerate the artisan creator economy. Their mission is to digitize every heritage art and craft of India to ultimately create sustainable livelihoods for artisans.

MeMeraki's north star is to enable the master artists of India to have a strong digital identity through their work so that these artists can be digital creators for the very first time and have access to a global audience as patrons of their art. Through this process they hope to create new revenue and sustainable income streams for the second biggest employment generator in the country - the craft economy. To do this, they leverage technology scalably while also ensuring that they address United Nation Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 10 and 5.

MeMeraki are reimagining the future of the artisan creator economy with artisans as digital creators.

You can follow MeMeraki on Instagram here.

You can find out more information about their workshops, classes, digital creators, and everything else they have going on here.

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