Pattu: Centuries Old Handloom Art

An Ancestral Inheritance in Rajasthan

Pattu jacket, cap (made by Saheli Women for Lisa Koti)

Pattu is something very close to our heart. India is home to so many beautiful crafts, and some of these traditions are shared with our neighbouring states with great love and pride. One such craft is Pattu, which in Gujarat is known as Bhujodi.

Pattu unnisex jacket and cap (made by Saheli Women for Lisa Koti)

Pattu is an indigenous weaving tradition of Rajasthan. Traditionally, it was woven using thick cotton and wool, creating warmth, strength, and beauty. The weavers created unique patterns on the loom using the extra-weft technique, giving the fabric its distinctive texture, borders, and designs. Pattu often carries stories of our surroundings like animals, biodiversity, desert life, and the culture that lives around us.

At Saheli Women, we wanted to bring this beautiful craft into a more contemporary world. We believe a craft survives when it continues to become a part of everyday life. Our dream is that the younger generation embraces Pattu not only as a heritage textile but as something they love to wear and celebrate.

So we dared to experiment with Pattu and we introduced brighter colours, new patterns, and more creative use of the extra-weft technique. We stepped outside the traditional boundaries while respecting the soul of the craft, creating something fresh, beautiful, and relevant for today.

Because traditions are not meant to stay frozen in time; they are meant to evolve, live, and continue their journey.

Photographs by Aakannsha Pandey and text by Madhu Vaishnav