Turmeric Yellow Kotpad Saree with Aal & Indigo Borders

The Heritage of Koraput: A Living Tribal Legacy

Discover the unrefined elegance of the Kotpad handloom, the first textile from Odisha to be honored with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2005. Originating from the tribal village of Kotpad in the Koraput district, these sarees are a "race against time" craft, preserving a 3rd-century tradition of organic weaving. For the Mirgan community, every saree is a spiritual and environmental narrative, woven on pit-looms set deep into the earth to maintain the perfect tension and temperature for the fibers.

The Alchemy of Natural Dyes: Turmeric, Aal, and Indigo

The vibrant yellow body of this saree is a tribute to the sun, achieved through the application of Turmeric (Haldi), while the striking borders are dyed with Aal root (Indian Madder) for the deep reds and Natural Indigo for the cooling blues.

The natural dyeing process is a grueling 30-day labor-intensive cycle. Before dyeing, the yarn undergoes a 12-to-15-day pre-treatment involving castor oil, cow dung, and wood ash—a traditional "alkaline water" technique that ensures the botanical pigments bind permanently to the fiber. This process not only creates lightfast, earthy colors but also imbues the fabric with medicinal properties, offering a natural antiseptic and cooling effect that is beneficial for the skin.

Fabric & Feel: The Soul of Handspun Khadi

Crafted from 100% coarse handspun cotton (Khadi), this saree features the signature rugged texture that defines authentic Kotpad weavings. Unlike factory-made textiles, the 20s count handspun yarn is airy and breathable, designed to keep you cool in sweltering heat and warm during the winter. The fabric possesses a "dream-come-true" fall that softens and gains a subtle glow with every decade of wear.

The Artisanal Story: Weaving Social Impact

When you choose a Pasapali Kotpad saree, you are participating in a beautiful symbiosis between the weaver and the environment. Every purchase of this variant provides approximately 25 days of sustainable livelihood for a tribal weaving family in Odisha. By bypassing middlemen, we ensure that the value of this sustainable ethnic wear directly empowers the Mirgan artisans who meticulously hand-lift each tribal motif—including the macha (fish), donga (boat), and kumbha (temple)—without the use of modern machines or design graphs.

Technical Specs Table

Special Care Instructions

Natural dyes require careful preservation. We strictly recommend Dry Cleaning to maintain the integrity of the botanical pigments. Do not squeeze or wring the fabric. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the colors from maturing prematurely.