Tuesday 14 April 2020

Lovely Bomkai Saree And Fabrics #OdishaGI #KnowYourGI #GIsofIndia

Odisha has a variety of unique handlooms. As per records, handloom weaving in Odisha goes back to 600 BC.
Some of the Odisha handicrafts including handlooms have earned the Geographical Indications (GI) tag. You can read about them here- Fabrics And Sarees Of Odisha with the GI Tag.

While many saree lovers know the name of Sambalpuri saree, the other names are not that well known. Do you know about "Bomkai Sarees and Fabrics"?

Bomkai is the name of a village in Ganjam district in southern Odisha in India. 
It lends its name to the 'Bomkai Saree and Fabrics'.
Bomkai Saree & Fabrics are a GI of Odisha.  

Bomkai Saree is a handloom saree from Odisha, India that originated in Bomkai, Ganjam district. Bomkai Saree has rich traditional floral, ornamental and attractive designs and motifs like flowers (Kanthiphula, Atasi, Bitter gourd, Lotus etc), birds, deer, fish, damru, dancing dolls, tortoise, creepers etc. Rows of Kumbha (temple spires) are favourite border motifs.


The tie and dye weaving in western Odisha came into existence during the mid 14th century when the then ruler of Patnagarh Sri Ramai Dev encouraged weavers. The weavers took the title as "Meher" and their caste is known as "Bhulia".
Now, Bomkai is mostly produced by the “Bhulia” community. Apart from Ganjam district, the production area covers many districts like- Sonepur, Bargarh, Boudh, Angul and Cuttack.
Bomkai is the name of a design woven in handloom using Jalla technique. It is an extra weft design with single colour or multi colour weft on the cloth.The designs are woven on one side of the fabric only. The solid border, anchal and body designs are combined with Ikat (Bandha) technique.

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Traditional original Bomkai is also being produced in the place of origin. However, as very few weavers are weaving these, these are rare and expensive. 

I request the Odisha state government to please take initiatives for training the next generation so that this lovely traditional art and heritage product can be passed on.

L For- Lovely
Lovely Bomkai Saree And Fabrics
I am writing A-Z posts about the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Odisha #OdishaGI.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics. GI products are linked with the culture, traditions, history etc. of a geographical location. 
Only when info is shared, people can learn and be aware.
This is my sincere attempt to share information about the GI-Tags of Odisha.
You can check out my other GI posts here.
Let us all use GI products - the "invaluable treasures of incredible India", and encourage our artisans, weavers, and farmers.
Are you aware of Geographical Indications? 
Had you heard of Bomkai Saree and Fabrics?
Please do share in the comments below.

8 comments:

  1. The Bomkai sari sounds very attractive. Imagine having deer, fish and damru as designs on a sari! Unique indeed.

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    1. Bomkai Sarees are really eye-catching. The prominent and extra weft handwoven designs using Jalla technique are unique.
      We can find many traditional motifs like deer, fish, peacock etc. in other handloom sarees of Odisha and India too. Such is the rich heritage of our states & country!

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  2. Never heard of them. They really do look lovely �� Hope the traditional art doesn't die in the coming generations.

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  3. Somehow I am so glad I belong to Cuttack.... Even if I don't know the names of these prints... But I have seen and can identify these prints and am sure must have bought them for someone or the other too :)

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  4. Nice to know that your series covers a lot of products from the Ganjam District. Bomkai sari is very popular even though very few in its place of origin are now engaged in making this.

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  5. Such pretty sarees. I am going to check them out soon.

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  6. This is so pretty!! Compared to other post read on a dye.. forgot the name! This is why i should read them again... these prints are lovely...

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  7. Really it is an excitement store of information that number of Odisha products are tagged with GI. Though we are aware of it get into your blog it became easy to understand. Here we want to translate the matter in Odia for common awareness and publication in our newspaper. permission awaited. Call me 9437322982 ; pandasanat@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Your words mean a lot to me.

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