ABOUT BANDHA KALA / SAMBALPURI IKAT
An age-old handwoven craft from Sambalpur and Mandia Badha in Odisha, known for its intricate tie-dye technique and motifs that reflect the region’s cultural identity. This fabric is a form of double Ikat and is recognised across India for its identity, durability, and cultural roots. It carries generations of knowledge, craft discipline, and community heritage. Moreover, it is not a trend-driven textile - it is a craft with clarity, purpose, and history.
THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING
Bandha Kala / Sambalpuri Ikat has been woven in Odisha for centuries, with motifs inspired by local culture and rituals. It moved from traditional, ritual-based use to global recognition and now holds a GI tag. Traditionally, the craft used black, yellow, red, white, and green colours rooted in the traditions of the Jagannath temple. Today, artisans also work with pastels, metallics, and modern tones, making it versatile and relevant for contemporary fashion.
Motifs
Floral Motifs
Inspired by flowers and foliage, floral motifs bring a sense of purity, renewal, and quiet strength. From the blooming lotus to leafy forms, they reflect growth through challenges and add warmth and softness to the weave.
Animal Motifs
Woven with the wisdom of the wild - fish that push against the current, peacocks that dance with grace, elephants that stand in silent strength. These motifs carry resilience, beauty, and the deep bond between spirit and nature.
Geometric Motifs
Shapes in symmetry - squares, circles, diamonds - echo the quiet structure of life. From the Pasapalli checks to flowing patterns, each motif holds harmony, tradition, and an unbroken thread through time.
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Religious & Cultural Symbols
Sacred symbols take shape in thread - the turning Dharma Chakra, the resonant Shankha, the towering temple borders. Rooted in faith and ritual, they speak of life’s eternal flow, offering quiet strength, protection, and belonging.
Colors
Defined by a distinctive palette rooted in tradition - black, yellow, red, white, and green, these colours date back to temple rituals & the cultural landscape of Odisha. They are inherited from centuries-old temple rituals (like Patta and Joda, which were historically woven exclusively for the sacred deities), who conducted temple ceremonies, honouring the divine presence of the holy triad: Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. And the cultural landscape of Odisha brings back the essence of the tribal communities from all corners of the state.
By the late 20th century, changing fashion sensibilities opened the craft to experimentation, introducing pastels, metallics, and dual-tone palettes. Today, Bandha Kala / Sambalpuri Ikat embraces a wide colour spectrum, evolving from its ritual origins into a versatile, everyday craft that connects strongly with all.