Kotpad Sarees – Natural Dye

Discover our exclusive collection of Kotpad Handloom Sarees, the first GI-tagged textile from Odisha. Handcrafted in Koraput, these sarees represent a 3rd-century tribal legacy, woven with coarse organic cotton and dyed over 30 days using the legendary Aal root.

The Alchemy of Natural Dye : From Aal Root to Five Essential Hues

The Kotpad palette is inherently grounded in earthy, muted tones that reflect the landscape of Koraput. While the Aal root is the primary source of pigment, the introduction of various minerals and plant modifiers allows for the creation of maroon, brown, rust, yellow, and blue shades.

Why Sustainable Fashion Lovers Choose Kotpad?

The most distinctive feature of Kotpad handloom is its complete reliance on organic dyes, primarily derived from the Aal tree (Morinda citrifolia), also known as Indian Mulberry. The process is a labor-intensive, multi-stage cycle that spans 25 to 30 days, representing a sophisticated form of traditional ecological knowledge.

Kotpad Within Odisha's Handloom Traditions

Kotpad sarees come from the tribal regions of southern Odisha and use natural dyes — a distinct tradition from the ikat weaving of Western Odisha. To explore Odisha's ikat traditions, see our Sambalpuri sarees or cotton ikat weaves. For the full range of Odisha handloom, browse all our sarees.