Patan, in Gujarat, is synonymous with its most well-known product – the Patolu or Patola saree, woven in the Ikat tradition of weaving. Rohit Salvi, at his loom, weaving one of his masterpieces.
Using the tie and dye method, Rohit Salvi decides the final pattern in his mind and mentally makes the calculations as to where what colour has to be applied on the silk skeins.
The Salvi family came to Patan on the advice of King Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty in the 12th century. About 700 families migrated to Patan from Maharashtra and settled there permanently.
Mr. Salvi adjusts the tension in the threads with steel styluses so as to align the design to perfection.
A Patan Patola scarf worth Rs 40,000. The beauty of the weave is that it looks identical from both sides of the cloth.
The Salvi brothers in their workshop-cum-home with the simple Patola loom in their front room. It takes three to four months to weave one saree which then sells for over a lakh of rupees. Yet, they have a waiting list of clients.
So integral is the Patola to Patan that its designs are even visible in the city’s other wonder, the Rani ki vav, a stepped well from the eleventh century.