Sambalpuri Bandha Tie-Dye Ikat of Odisha

Sambalpuri bandha is a double-ikat weave from Sonepur, Bargarh, and Bolangir districts of western Odisha in which both warp and weft threads are resist-tied and dyed before weaving so that the pattern emerges when the threads are aligned on the loom. This makes it among the most technically demanding textiles in the world. The patterns — fish, conch shell, sun, and flower motifs in the traditional repertoire — require counting and tying thousands of threads individually. The Meher weaver community has practiced Sambalpuri bandha for generations. GI certification was awarded. Sambalpuri sarees and dress material are exported internationally and are worn by government officials as an identity statement for Odisha. A Sambalpuri double ikat saree can take 10 to 15 days to weave. The craft cluster in Sonepur and Bargarh is supported by the Odisha government Boyan cooperative network.