Blog about heritage art and craft of Kutch

This golden yellow Kala cotton saree with white border and white extra-weft design. The combination of white and golden yellow looks beautiful. The saree pallu edge has beautiful white and golden yellow tassels.

In the arid landscapes of Kutch, Gujarat, a 500-year-old weaving tradition breathes life into every thread. Bhujodi sarees—crafted by the Vankar community in Bhujodi village—aren’t just textiles; they’re heirlooms woven with stories of resilience, nature, and cultural pride.

The tale begins with the Rabari nomads, whose need for warmth against Kutchi winters birthed an unbreakable bond with the Vankars. Originally crafting thick woolen 'dhablas' (blankets), these weavers evolved their artistry into Bhujodi saree, embedding within them: A 500-year symbiosis: Rabaris supplied wool; Vankars wove protection against the cold, forging an intergenerational covenant of trust.

Bhujodi saree are woven using a pit loom, a traditional wooden loom set into the ground. What sets them apart is the "extra weft" technique, where additional threads are manually inserted between the warp to create raised, embroidery-like patterns. This method requires precision, patience, and years of expertise, as each motif is carefully crafted by lifting and interlacing threads by hand. Most famous Bhujodi saree design is off white and indigo colour.

Introduction Kala Cotton, a resilient indigenous cotton variety native to the arid region of Kachchh, Gujarat, is gaining renewed...