The Heritage of Koraput: Odisha’s First GI-Tagged Textile
Indulge in the "wildflower beauty" of the Kotpad handloom, a 3rd-century tribal weaving tradition that holds the honor of being Odisha’s first Geographical Indication (GI) tagged craft (2005). Sourced directly from the Mirgan community of Koraput, this saree is woven on ancient pit-looms where every thread represents a "race against time" to preserve organic heritage. The tribal motifs—such as the macha (fish) and mandir (temple)—are hand-lifted into the fabric using the extra-weft technique, making each piece a unique narrative of tribal life.
The Natural Dyeing Process: Achieving the Rare Sea Green
In the world of Kotpad weavings, green is a rare and prestigious achievement. This sea green hue is crafted by meticulously over-dyeing Turmeric (Haldi) with Natural Indigo, a multi-stage botanical process that requires immense precision to reach the perfect aquatic tone .
The Ganga Jamuna border features a stunning contrast: one side is dyed with the legendary Aal root (Indian Madder) for a deep terracotta red, while the other side showcases the cooling depths of Natural Indigo . This 30-day labor-intensive cycle uses only cow dung, wood ash, and castor oil as pre-treatments, ensuring the dyes are 100% non-toxic and possess natural medicinal properties that are soothing to the skin .
Fabric & Feel: The Luster of Tussar meets Cotton Strength
This variant is a masterclass in texture, blending the regal sheen of Tussar silk with the durability of handspun cotton. The Tussar-cotton blend provides a lightweight, airy drape that transitions effortlessly from professional office wear to festive celebrations. The fabric has a distinctive organic "glow" that does not fade but rather mellows and softens with every decade of use.
The Artisanal Story: Livelihood in Every Thread
By choosing this sustainable ethnic wear, you are directly contributing to the socio-economic resilience of the Mirgan artisans. Each purchase provides approximately 28 days of sustainable livelihood for a weaving household in southern Odisha. This is slow fashion in its purest form—protecting the environment from chemical run-off while keeping a thousand-year-old tribal legacy alive.
Technical Specs
| Feature | Details |
| Length |
6.4 Meters (Includes running blouse piece) |
| Fabric |
Tussar Silk x Coarse Handspun Cotton Blend |
| Tana-Bana |
Cotton Warp x Tussar Silk Weft (Wrap/Weft) |
| Borders | Dual-Tone Ganga Jamuna (Red & Blue) |
| Dye Source | Aal Root, Indigo, and Turmeric |
Special Care Instructions
Natural dyes are living botanical pigments. To preserve the sea green luster and the integrity of the Ganga Jamuna borders, we strictly recommend Dry Cleaning only. Store the saree in a breathable cotton bag away from direct sunlight to maintain its original herbal glow.