Black Golden GI Tag Sambalpuri Silk Saree

Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics from GI (Geographical Indications) document says that Tie & Dye weaving in western Odisha came into existence during 600 BC. In traditional handwoven ikat or baandha, one of warp/weft is tied and dyed prior to weaving (single ikat) or both warp and weft are tie-dyed before weaving (double ikat). Weavers are distributed in Bargarh, Boudh, Sonepur, Bolangir, Nuapada & Sambalpur & some parts of Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda districts where Meher community reside. For weaving, traditional pit loom with throw/fly shuttle technique is used. Varieties are Sonepuri, Pasapali, Bomkai, Sachipar, Bichitrapuri, Bapta (Cotton & Silk mixed) etc, saree.  

The Ministry of Textiles provides financial assistance for registration of handloom products under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods Act, 1999. GI help desks have been setup at each Weavers Service Centre to address the issues related to GI products and to promote GI in handloom clusters. So far, 65 handloom products and 6 product logos are registered under GI Act. And this saree has 17 GI tag information woven over it including handlooms, handicrafts, food stuff and agricultural items of Odisha. This has won National Award and is woven by Sri Biswanath Meher. Its idea was given by Dr Anita Sabat, our co-founder, who has been creating lot of awareness about GI tags since 2016. Under her leadership, Odisha got the Odisha Rasagola GI tag too! Its design was done by Sri Prafulla Meher. A Sambalpuri silk saree so beautiful is indeed rare to find!