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The traditional art of dhurrie rug making

The traditional art of dhurrie rug making

If you have unique taste and appreciate rare things and you haven't yet found a rug that catches your eye, you should check out a very special type of rug, the dhurrie. Dhurrie rugs originated in India and are characterized by a reversible flat weave and intricate designs and patterns. They are a unique piece of decor that people will notice as soon as they enter your home. Also, dhurries have a history and meaning.


What is a dhurrie rug?

In general, a dhurrie rug is a reversible, flat-woven rug or rug. There are different types of dhurrie rugs and one of the most outstanding is the block printed dhurrie. The rugs are typically loom woven and the weaving style incorporates techniques that have been used for thousands of centuries. It goes without saying that dhurrie rugs have a rich history.


The history

Dhurrie rugs originally come from India and surrounding regions such as Burma, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the past, dhurries were mainly used as a bed cover, hung on the wall, used as a meditation and yoga mat, or were part of a girl's dowry. These graphic flatweaves and block prints were made by weavers and brides-to-be who were trained in the art from an early age. Each design has been crafted by hand and contains unique patterns depicting the weaver's personal history along with religious or spiritual symbols.


Technology

Hand block printing is a very old traditional technique of dyeing and dyeing fabrics with wooden blocks, practiced by the artisans of India. These unique carpet designs are the result of intensive precision and training that is passed on from generation to generation.
Wooden blocks with different patterns are carved by hand. These blocks are then dipped in natural dyes and stamped onto the fabric. Different blocks are used for different colors. The precise and controlled positioning of these blocks on the handwoven fabric creates a beautiful product that will add to your home decor. Each product is a masterpiece that reflects the artistic skill and imagination of an artisan. Therefore, these handmade rugs may not be as perfect as machine printed ones.


Materials

Dhurrie rugs can be made from a variety of materials, which can have different properties in terms of strength, softness and texture. Some are smooth and cool to the touch, while others are sumptuously soft and warm. Commonly used materials for handwoven rugs include wool, silk and cotton, bamboo silk, banana leaf, mohair, merino and alpaca. Living Multicultural strives to use only cruelty-free materials in the manufacture of all products. So for now we're sticking with 100% cotton, but at the same time we're working to include more products made from natural and cruelty-free materials like bamboo silk and others.
As for the preparation of the material, once a yarn has been selected, there are countless ways to tie and weave, twist and loop it to create a handmade rug. These different techniques produce a range of surface textures, ranging from fine and flat to coarse and shaggy.


Artisans

Dhurries are handcrafted by skilled artisans. Each step of carpet production is prepared by hand. These include carving various designs into the blocks of wood, preparing natural dyes, weaving the rug, and printing the design onto the rug. This manufacturing requires a lot of precision and is time consuming. This traditional craft has been practiced for thousands of years and passed from one generation to the next. More often than not, carpet making is not just a job, but an art practiced by the whole family, with the craft being passed down from father to son and mother to daughter. For many families in the villages, it is the only way to support themselves and earn a living. The increasing popularity of dhurrie rugs helps the villagers to live a better and more stable life. Living Multicultural values ​​that every order contributes to the livelihood of the artisan families and to preserving this beautiful traditional art.

 

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