AN INITIATIVE OF CRAFT REVIVAL TRUST.  Since 1999
Rayon Dhurries of Tamil Nadu

Dhurries, Floor Covering, Carpets

Rayon Dhurries of Tamil Nadu

The dhurries of Tamil Nadu received a Geographical Indication tag by the Government of India in 2005-2006.

Bhavani and Kumarapalayam in Tamil Nadu are famous for their striped cotton dhurries. These are flatweave dhurries that are also woven in acrylic, silk and rayon. Rayon dhurries that have four-plied thinner rayon weft or two-plied thicker rayon yarn have similar basic structure but different design elements than those of Bhavani cotton dhurries.

The tools used are kai thari/handloom, bawani ratta/hank winder, pannai/bamboo reed, sendu kutchi/stretcher, oorulai/pulley, bowani/bobbin, tharu kutchi/quill, and vadi settu/heald shaft.

The warp threads are manually picked up according to the desired motif and 12-plied weft of rayon is woven to make the pattern, on a layer of two-plied finer rayon. This is the extra weft technique which makes the motif prominent and gives it a relief texture.

The articles made are jamakalam/dhurrie, terai seelai/tapestries of religious icons, and wall hangings.

Rayon dhurries have multicoloured stripes. The broad stripes are called patta, and the thin stripes are kettai.

Often, bright coloured floral and figurative birds, animals, deities, mythical figures, and alphabet motifs are also woven using the extra weft technique. The ornamented dhurries used for special occasions have a peacock motif in the center enclosed by a multicoloured border and are predominantly blue in colour.

The religious icons on tapestries are those of Balaji, Christ, Ganesha, Lakshmi, and other deities. The icons are decorated with a border or row of motifs.

Gallery

YOUR VIEWS

PRACTITIONERS: INDIA

Access 70,000+ practitioners in 2500+ crafts across India.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

10,000+ listings on arts, crafts, design, heritage, culture etc.

GLOSSARY

Rich and often unfamiliar vocabulary of crafts and textiles.

SHOP at India InCH

Needs to be written.