3 weeks ago
Ramraj Cotton revives Santhali weave with new Panchaatm handloom line
This story is about a special kind of cloth.
A big clothing company in India called Ramraj Cotton wants to save an old weaving tradition.
The tradition belongs to the Santhali tribe from a place called Mayurbhanj in Odisha.
For many years, the tribe's women wove beautiful sarees by hand.
But over time, fewer people wanted to buy them, so the craft started to disappear.
The company's founder, KR Nagarajan, had an idea.
Instead of sarees, he turned the same weaving style into dhotis, which are traditional cotton clothes.
The company used safe colors called azo-free dyes so the clothes are better for people and the environment.
People can buy these special clothes starting August 7 in stores and online.
The company hopes this will help the weavers earn money and keep their wonderful tradition alive.
Ramraj Cotton launched Panchaatm, a handloom collection reimagining the traditional Santhali weave of Mayurbhanj, Odisha as contemporary dhotis.
The weave was traditionally crafted as sarees by Santhali tribal women but faded over decades due to declining patronage and limited market avenues.
Founder and Chairman KR Nagarajan led the initiative, using extra-weft techniques and azo-free dyes.
The collection is available from August 7 at select stores and online.
The initiative aims to spotlight lesser-known tribal weaving traditions and create livelihood opportunities for women weavers.
- Who
- Ramraj Cotton, led by Founder and Chairman KR Nagarajan, along with Santhali tribal women weavers
- What
- Launched Panchaatm, a handloom collection reimagining the traditional Santhali weave as contemporary cotton dhotis
- Where
- Launched in Hyderabad; the weave originates from Mayurbhanj, Odisha
- When
- Available from August 7
- Why
- To revive a fading tribal craft, preserve its identity, create livelihoods for women weavers, and expand market reach
Key facts
- Brand
- Ramraj Cotton
- Collection
- Panchaatm
- Product
- Handwoven cotton dhotis
- Craft
- Traditional Santhali weave
- Origin
- Mayurbhanj, Odisha
- Techniques
- Extra-weft technique with azo-free dyes
- Availability
- From August 7 at select stores and online
- Traditional form
- Sarees woven by Santhali tribal women
Sources
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