Art of Weaving

Weaving is an ancient, intricate, and artistic method of textile production, practiced for over 2,000 years, that involves interlacing longitudinal warp threads and lateral weft threads at right angles on a loom. Itis used to create functional cloth, including clothing, rugs, and tapestries, using natural fibers, and is a significant cultural art form. This craft requires intense patience and skill, with many traditional techniques still in use today to produce durable and intricate, handmade textiles.

Other methods are knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp, and the lateral threads are the weft or filling.

A unique style of durrie rugs is made in the desert village of Salawas, near Jodhpur. Once made solely in camel hair, today cotton as well as woolen rugs and other products are made using the world renowned Punja Durrie technique by traditional craftsmen at the village.

A master weaver, from Salawas, along with a modified, portable version of his loom can be seen working his deft hands on the loom at Arya Niwas too!

He demonstrates the weaving process for guests, who can observe the technique, try their hand at weaving on the loom themselves and, if they want, buy fixed price durries etc.