Dharani is a Kotpad handloom saree woven by Mirgan tribal weavers of Odisha — an original Kotpad saree online representing the dual-shade earthy tones of aal bark dyeing, carrying tribal macha and pharsa motifs across its body in Tussar Cotton Silk.

The Craft Behind Dharani

The colour of Dharani comes from the bark of the aal tree (Morinda citrifolia), a dyeing practice central to the GI certified Kotpad textile tradition. Bark is harvested, boiled in water, and the fibres are soaked in successive baths until the hue settles deep into the yarn — no synthetic fixatives, no chemicals. The resulting tones are warm, earthy, and permanent in a way only natural processes produce. The Mirgan tribal weavers of Kotpad, Odisha have practised this vegetable dye tradition across generations, working with handspun cotton and Tussar silk on pit looms. Each pass of the shuttle is deliberate; the authentic Kotpad handloom cannot be rushed.

Wearing Dharani

Tussar Cotton Silk carries a texture that is neither stiff nor fluid — it holds its fold, drapes with body, and sits lightly on the shoulder. The handspun quality gives the surface a slight slub, a tactile honesty absent from mill-made cloth. The macha and pharsa motifs woven across the body travel with the wearer rather than standing apart from her. Dharani works as a Kotpad saree for ethnic wear where the drape and the occasion align without effort. It carries equally well as a Kotpad saree for festivals, where the tribal motifs read at a distance. And as a natural dyed saree for gifting, the aal bark palette — muted, warm, dual-shade — holds meaning beyond the cloth itself.

Dharani is part of Pasapali's commitment to authentic Kotpad handloom — where the record of a weaver's labour remains visible in every thread.

Explore More Handloom Sarees

Dharani is part of Pasapali's collection of Kotpad Handloom sarees from Odisha. Read the story behind the brand and the weavers who make them.