A Federation of Rural Artisans
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Crafts of SurendranagarTANGALIYA
Tangaliya is a part of the traditional costume of the Bharvad, the shepherd community of Gujarat. According to the folklore of the region, there was once a bharvad boy who fell in love with a girl from the weaver community and married her. He was ostracised by his family and went to live among the weavers. Here he continued to herd sheep but also learnt the art of weaving. Thus, wool began to be woven in the area and the craft of tangaliya evolved. His descendents formed the Dangasia community that continues this tradition till date.
Traditionally, a tangaliya shawl is 10 feet long and 4 feet broad. It is worn over a petticoat on special occasions by the shepherd women of the region. Gheta (native sheep) wool forms the raw material for the weaving of base fabric on which a special technique called bead-work or dana-work is done using cotton fibers. Through this, motifs are woven into the fabric while it is still on the loom. A 'dana' is formed on the weft yarn, through the process of tying together a minimum of three warps by wrapping a fine thread around them.
NIFT is presently in the process of obtaining GI (Geographical Indication) status for the tangaliya of Surendranagar in order to protect and promote the interests of the artisans.