A less meticulous and more affordable counterpart to the traditional Patan Patola, Rajkoti Patola is characterized by its cheaper raw materials and single ikat weave. In the single ikat technique, weavers first tie and dye the warp according to the planned design and then entwine the prepared threads with a plain weft producing vibrant geometric motifs in the finished weave. Rajkoti Patola is produced in Surendranagar and Rajkot.
Rajkot Patola is an ancient traditional weave, today famously produced in the Rajkot and Surendranagar districts of Gujarat. Rajkot Patola sarees have a distinctive style of production and preparation that is different to other forms of Patola sarees. Unlike the others, these are single-ikat sarees woven on silk, indigenous to Rajkot. The community of artisans and weavers has perpetuated this craft for 800 years. These sarees use zari on the pallu, bodice or the border. Unique motifs inspired from nature, such as parrots, flowersand elephants, are woven on them. Inspiration is also derived from the lifestyles of local communities.
