The Origins Of The Classic Indian Dhurrie
Posted by VILLEDOMO INDIA
Dhurries, which are still used in many households today, was formerly employed as woven floor coverings in India. Dhurries are incredibly useful and may be used for many different items, such as bedding and packing, but their main usage is as a floor mat. The dhurries come in sizes that may cover everything from telephone stands to big parties. The Dhurries were once employed as floor coverings, but their lovely designs have made them well-liked as wall hangings. Dhurries are inexpensive, simple to maintain, and resistant to pests and insects like silverfish that damage carpets. Cotton dhurries are adaptable enough to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Dhurries were seen as a low-quality alternative to carpets early in the study of crafts, and their worth was undervalued. But as time went on, its modern appeal and abstract patterns helped it gain popularity. These dhurries are weaved, which gives them the advantage of being reversible, increasing their utility. Compared to carpets, their weaving technique offers more versatility for the creation of more diversified designs.
Dhurrie-making has always been done by domestic women. One just requires a "Punja," a "pit loom," or two nearby horizontal bars to weave. With this simple configuration, they may start weaving right away. The "Punja" technique and the conventional "pit loom with the fly shuttle" are the two fundamental methods used to make dhurries. The setup for Punja looms is less complicated than for typical pit looms. Women traditionally spin cotton, and males traditionally colour the yarn.
Origin Of Handwoven Dhurries
India's ceremonial floor paintings may be used to determine the dhurrie's earliest known ancestors. Hindu and tribal dwellings' pattern-drawn walls and floors were thought to ward off bad spirits and energies. One invokes the gods and asks for protection from evil energy using these patterns. Religious convictions and a love of art and design came together to create a complex art form in which the house serves as the canvas.
The Mahajanaka Jataka artwork in the Ajanta caves has the oldest representation of the dhurrie. In the artwork of King Mahajanaka, he is shown standing atop an Indian dhurrie. The Mughal chronicle claims that imperial factories in Lahore, Agra, and Fatehpur Sikri created "Ain-i-Akbari," "Satranji," or flatweaves. The birthdays of the prophets are also mentioned in the paintings of the Mughal rulers, such as "Shah Jahan in Darbar" (ca. 1630), "Agra," "A Night Celebrating the Prophet's Birthday," and others. The Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad houses one of the best specimens of an Indian flatwoven rug. It was previously a possession of Rajasthan's Ambar Palace. It contains a cotton warp and a wool weft and was woven in Lahore sometime in the middle of the 17th century. A dhurrie with tile patterns served as a background as part of the Indian pavilion of the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London.
Making dhurries was regarded as an appropriate professional and leisure activity in jails since it could be done in small quantities. The "All India Weaving and Printing Competition" was given to Bikaner Central Jail by the Government of the United Provinces in the late 1930s. This led to the establishment of two structured weaving markets: the commercial sector and the jail sector. The village industry was a crucial third sector. The development of the private and commercial sectors coincided with the formation of workshops in towns and the construction of cotton mills. Prayer mats and striped dhurries found a market niche when production decreased.
The drive to solely purchase goods manufactured in Britain led to the widespread presence of striped dhurries throughout India. Dhurrie weaving in India has developed into one of the most vital and significant facets of village life. Through the ages, a large decorative lexicon rich in cultural symbolism has been transmitted. Designs have historically been given as dowries and means of skill transmission. In Madhya Pradesh, "Sironj," "Jhabua," "Raigarh," and "Jabalpur" are the primary centres of dhurrie manufacture, where women often work on their skills in their houses. These Dhurries are renowned for their strength and durability as well as their bold colour schemes.
Dhurrie Designs
Dhurries typically include geometric designs and patterns. Designs that draw their inspiration from regional architecture, nature, and wildlife are available in a broad variety. Stripes, geometric variants, rambling vines, peacocks, trees of life, hunting scenes, and medallions are the most typical patterns seen in dhurries. Dhurries feature kilim patterns as well. In addition, dhurries portray well-known myths and legends.
Dhurries from Madhya Pradesh often have a pinkish-white base with vibrant red designs. The motifs are divided by a black or vivid red line. An excellent way to judge the craftsmanship of the artisans is by the intricacy of the designs, such as the "Neempatti" pattern, which has 24 petal flowers surrounded by leaves and blossoms. The "Surajmukhi" or sunflower pattern is one of the most popular ones. For your living room, bedroom, and patio, consider Panja handwoven dhurries in energizing and timeless colours that include classic stripes and simple yet elegant geometric shapes. These are also fantastic presents!
The Dhurries have distinctive patterns like multicoloured stripes that are influenced by the state of origin. One of the most widely used designs is multicolour stripes. In rural India, dhurrie weaving was a significant industry. Dhurries have historically been utilised as floor coverings in South Asia. Dhurries may be as huge as 20 feet by 20 feet when utilised in large social or political events. Due to their small weight and foldability, these floor coverings are quite portable. They are available in a wide range of colour schemes and designs to suit any preference or situation. Dhurries require less upkeep since they are immune to the insects that damage carpets, such as silverfish.
Wrapping Up…
Dhurries are quite distinct from rugs and carpets in that they are used for bedding and packing in addition to flooring. However, the Dhurries might be categorised as rugs or carpets because they have the same function. The trade is gradually vanishing, and the weavers are leaving their jobs to support themselves and earn more money because it is a small industry and inexpensive to sell, yet it takes a lot of work to produce hand-woven dhurries. Automation is too expensive and unreliable since it interferes with Dhurrie's patterns and design when employed. To buy the best Indian dhurries for your home décor, click here!
