Weaving as a Community Activity

The weavers community from Nalgonda, Telangana, are known for their Telia Rumals and Ikats

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The community

Telia Rumal, a literal translation being an oiled kerchief, is woven by the Padmasali weaver community, only in Nalgonda district in the villages of Pochampalli and Puttapakka. The community has achieved a high degree of skill in weaving double ikat fabrics. 

Telia Rumal: Warp on the loom (2017) by Weaver Gadu SrinuDastkari Haat Samiti

Most weavers have now taken to the single ikat form of weaving and introduce contemporary designs and layouts. The oil treatment of the cloth was for a special clientele in earlier times, but has now been done away with. Only alizarin dyes are used on these rumals.

Telia Rumal: The road to the weaving village (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Winding its way through fields dotted with date palms, the country road leads to a village clearing.

Telia Rumal: Spinning wheel used for yarn used in weaving (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The earthen streets leading out from it open into a busy world of weaving and associated activities.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Stone paved homes with terraced verandahs are centres of activity for different stages of production.

Telia Rumal: Ikat weaving (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

For this village of weavers, there is no separation between living and working spaces.

Telia Rumal: In the weaver's home (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Where beds are rolled out for rest at night is where the yarn is processed during the day.

Many spaces in a home, thus, have multiple purposes and uses.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The loom is an important part of their homes.

Telia Rumal: Weft preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Whether sitting at the loom, or around it, various weaving and support activities are carried out by different members within the family.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The village street becomes an extension of a weaver’s workplace, especially suitable for stretching the lengthy warp yarn.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A weaver stretches the warp yarn along the street. No one minds as weavers’ homes flank the street, and they all participate in the same activity.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The warp is stretched out in the open, while the rest of village life carries on in the background.

Telia Rumal: Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The younger generation, coming home from cities during work or study breaks, join the family to help out in many of the weaving processes.

Warp preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Little children use various raw materials to make up their own games.

Telia Rumal: Yarn preparation (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Since all members of the family are involved in some part of the weaving process, children grow up being very familiar with the natural atmosphere of a weaver’s life.

Telia Rumal: Weaver's family (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Whether they will choose the path of their parents and continue with the craft, or explore a new avenue when the time comes, weaving is a skill they absorb along the way.

Telia Rumal: Double ikat sari (Contemporary) by MallikarjunaDastkari Haat Samiti

Read more about the art of Telia Rumal here:

- Telia Rumal
- Weaving Telia Rumal

Weaving Ikat
Credits: Story

Text: Aloka Hiremath, Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Artisan: Gajam Govardhan and associated weavers
Ground Facilitator: Shalini Shashi
Documentary Video: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Curation: Ruchira Verma

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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