Tangaliya is 700 years old traditional hand weaving technique. Legend tells us that centuries ago in the stark landscape of Saurashtra. A Bharwad man married a woman from the weaver community amidst great opposition from both sides. It was a marriage that would forever influence the rich tapestry of Indian craft. The children born to them were known as Dangasia and they created the art of Tangaliya weaving.
Tangaliya weaving is also known as Daana weaving which is practiced in Surendranagar district of Gujarat. This form of weaving not only requires high skill but also an eye for accuracy. The Tangaliya shawl uses a unique weaving technique and was almost on the verge of extinction. It has been given GI (Geographical Indications) recognition by the Central government.
It is a labor-intensive and painstaking process. Contrast colored threads are twisted onto a group of four to five threads of warp creating dana or beadwork. The fabric is constructed in plain weave. The geometric patterns give the impression of delicate embroidery but are actually weaving. The weavers’ fingers sense exactly the right number of warp threads and twist extra weft around them. The result is a glorious geometric pattern, tiny, white dots lighting up rich, dark fabrics. The motif vocabulary of Daana weaving mainly constitutes of the elements present in the community’s environment. Some examples are peacock, plant, Naughara and many more.
