Kota Doria

Kota sari

Kota doria or Kota Sari is one of many types of sari garments^[1] made at Kota, Rajasthan and Muhammadabad Gohna, Mau in Uttar Pradesh and its nearby area. Sarees are made of pure cotton and silk and have square like patterns known as khats on them.^[2] The chequered weave of a Kota sari is very popular.^[3][4] They are very fine weaves and weigh very less.

History

Originally, such sarees were called Masuria because they were woven in Mysore. The weavers were subsequently brought to Kaithoon, a small town in Kota by Rao Kishore Singh, a general in the Mughal army. The weavers were brought to Kota in the late 17th and early 18th century and the sarees came to be known as 'Kota-Masuria'.

Weave

Kota Doria is woven on a traditional pit loom in such a fashion that it produces square checks pattern on the fabric. The delicately wrought checks are locally known as khats. They smear onion juice and rice paste with a lot of care into the yarn making the yarn so strong that no additional finishing is needed.

Industry

Kota sarees are popularly known as 'Masuria' in Kota and Kotadoria outside the state. 'Doria' means thread. Rajasthan Handloom Development Corporation (RHDC) is taking the lead in producing items other than sarees from the Kota Doria. They have helped produce lamp shades, curtains, skirts and salwar-kamiz. They have even helped make an all silk saree on Masuria handlooms. Kota saris display individuality with a bit of embroidery and border patches, making them totally exclusive.

References

1. ↑ Taplin, Ruth. Intellectual property, innovation and management in emerging economies. p. 110. 
2. ↑ "Different types of Sarees from North India, South India and East India.". www.indiamarks.com. 
3. ↑ http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2000/05/29/stories/102969s3.htm
4. ↑ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/translated-from-kalamkari/922481/