Discover TEXTILE TOURISM IN MADHYA PRADESH
Madhya Pradesh is inevitably a kaleidoscope for textile lovers, with a centuries-old tradition of handloom weaving and dying skills passed down through generations. Textile Tourism in Madhya Pradesh offers an immersive experience that surpasses the souvenir collection dating back 5,000 years. Let us take a peek into some of the top destinations in Madhya Pradesh for textile tourism.
CHANDERI
The thin air-like chanderi cotton textile, a hand-weaved interlacement of gold and silver warp and weft forming popular motifs like paisley, guinea design, peacock, mihrab, and flowers beholds the rich and prestigious culture of chanderi.
The fabric was exclusive among royals, and the then Queen of Baroda put a price on sarees after rubbing the fabric onto her cheeks. Folklores are prevalent; the softer the cloth, the higher the price. Chanderi sarees are not just a textile or a cloth but a handwoven saree exemplifying the history and the century-old tradition of sarees that come in three types of fabrics - pure silk, silk cotton, and chanderi cotton.
MAHESHWAR
Nestled on the banks of the Narmada River, Maheshwar, a centuries-old centre for handloom weaving, has been famous for its beautiful Maheshwari sarees characterised by vibrant colours, gold zari borders, and unique pit loom weaving techniques. These sarees, known for their unique style, were introduced by a queen about 250 years ago. Traditionally made from cotton, they come in a variety of designs, including plain, striped, and even geometric patterns. Explore the bustling handloom market, visit heritage havelis showcasing the craft, or try a hand at weaving a small piece of cloth under the guidance of a master weaver.
HAND BLOCK PRINTING ON TEXTILES
One of the few art forms practised through its original technique, the Nandana print is a colourful block print produced in the village of Tarapur in Neemuch and Umedpura. This comfortable clothing is the traditional attire of the Bhil and Bhilal tribes.
The town of Bagh near the historic city Mandu boasts a 1,000-year-old tradition of Bagh print, a unique form of natural dye block printing. Visit a printer's workshop to witness the meticulous process of handcarving wooden blocks and printing intricate floral and geometric patterns onto fabric. Bherugarh is the centre of Batik printing near Ujjain. This age-old wax-resist dyeing and printing craft is considered to have been practised in Egypt, Japan, and India for over 2,000 years. At present, textile lovers can visit Bherugarh and witness over 800 men and women working as printers in the village.
Handblock printing, fabric-tying, and dyeing crafts belong to Indore. For Handblock printing, vegetable and natural dyes such as indigo, turmeric roots, pomegranate skin, lac, iron, etc., are utilised to create the colours. This technique produces a complex yet understated impression. The amazing part is that since the natural colours penetrate the cloth, they do not quickly fade, enhancing the fabric's aesthetic appeal. While in fabric tying and dyeing, the craft is referred to as bandhani or bandhej in Madhya Pradesh. Recognising the potential of textile tourism, The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is taking steps to promote this unique travel experience. Pranpur village in Chanderi is India's First Craft Handloom Tourism Village developed by the tourism department. This unique initiative intends to allow tourists to visit the weaver’s community in Pranpur and directly interact with artisans, witness the weaving process, and understand the cultural significance of these textiles.