Ilkal Saree Weaving Karnataka

Ilkal sarees are a distinctive cotton-silk handloom saree from Ilkal town in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, characterised by a unique joining technique called khun that creates a contrast-colour border and end-piece fused with the cotton body by a loop-joining of warp threads. The pallu of an Ilkal saree typically features comb (betti) and serrated patterns in red and white contrast. The body is woven in cotton; the border and pallu in silk or tussar silk. Traditional designs include topiteni (chappal design), koti-kombu (horn pattern), and pomegranate border. Ilkal sarees are GI-certified and associated with the Devanga, Togatta, and Salewali weaver communities. The Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation supports cooperative production. Ilkal sarees are considered the workday saree of North Karnataka women.