Step 2 - Share Your Design Brief

Rows of Kalash, a pot with a large base and small mouth often used in Indian ceremonies, have been woven across the rug as a call for good luck. The diamond shaped motifs within squares represents a popular breakfast snack, Shakarpara, served in villages. The design of a Bandhanwar, a decorative article hung on doors of her home to welcome people in, also found its way into the design. The rug design also borrows inspiration from leheriya and other saree lace patterns commonly used in Rajasthani textiles.

Ajgar or Python is a creative take on nature that surrounds the weavers in the village. "When we were weaving this rug, a Python came to accompany us at our loom. I weaved it in to remember", explains Kamli with a pretty smile. A few minutes later, Sumitra broke the silence and started explaining, "Before marriage, most of my time was spent at my hut in a hill. I took inspiration from those memories and weaved clouds and hills into this rug.”

She has woven earthen pots, called ‘Matkas’ in the local language, all over the rug because during hot sunny days these pots keep the water cool naturally. On the bottom of the rug, there is a row of biscuit-like design which she chose to draw because her children like to eat biscuits all the time. On the rug one can also see patterns of Bandhanwar, a handmade decorative craft-piece placed at the entrance of the house. She also immerses some match-boxes, candles and light bulbs as these are representatives of a local village home.

The rug Durga Ka Manchaha is a creative take on Indian food and its serving styles. “I never thought that this will come out to be so beautiful. Even if all three of us sit together to weave this rug, we won’t be able to make the exact same designs,” say Durga with a huge smile on her face. Durga, Vimla and Sumitra weaved geometrical lehariya patterns and made banana leaves on this rug. They also weaved two Gulab jamuns and one Rasgulla - two of India’ favorite delicacies for the customer to enjoy.