Ikat weaving which means to tie or bind. This fine printing technique was found in places around Central, South, and Southeast Asia, and South America.
Indian scholars say Ikat weaving in India dates back to the 12th century CE. But its history is not just restricted to India. Ikat was earlier used for religious activities and was mainly made in Odisha, Telangana, and Gujarat.
Ikat has played a massive role in the handloom revival in India as it represents a person’s cultural and textile taste. Ikat print is currently ruling the fashion world around the globe and Western apparel is featuring this print a lot lately.
The binding technique print better known as Ikat is currently ruling the fashion world. But this print has a 1000-year-old history not just from India, but around 30 other countries have their history and technique of forming Ikat print.
This print is now seen on pants, tops, and dresses with various high-end fashion brands launching the Ikat collection for people with a knack for fine work fabric and handloom.
This print was majorly worn in the past by artists, journalists, left-wing intellectuals, and the people who were colloquially called ‘jholawallahs’. During the post-Independence era, personalities like late-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, her best friend Pupul Jayakar, and others used to wear this print.
And now, with its global reach and a Western touch, celebrities like Tara Sutaria, Shilpa Shetty, and Bhumi Pednekar, among others are seen flaunting the Ikat Western clothing with their style and grace.
Ikat print the 1000-year-old handloom from Odisha as penetrated the western fashion
