Navalgund Durries: An interview with Metaphor Racha.
Navalgund Durries are flat-weave floor coverings that stand out for their striking colours and designs. Ravi Kiran, proprietor of Metaphor Racha, is deeply committed to khadi (fabric hand-woven from hand-spun yarns) and also works with weavers of Navalgund Durries. He shares insights about these remarkable floor coverings.
Brinda Gill: Could you tell us about Navalgund Durries?
Ravi Kiran: Floor coverings or rugs have traditionally been called durries in India. Navalgund Durries are sturdy, cotton, flat-weave floor coverings traditionally woven in Navalgund, a small town located in the Dharwad district of Karnataka, South India. Navalgund is approximately 450 km from Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), Karnataka State, India, and about 50 km from Dharwad city, the district headquarters.
Navalgund durries are known as jamkhanas in Kannada, the language spoken in Karnataka. Jamkhana is a generic term for floor mats. The word Navalgund comes from Navil, meaning peacock in Kannada, and Gudda (or Gunda), meaning hill. In earlier times, peacocks inhabited the hill on which the town is located, although they are no longer found here due to urbanisation.
BG: What is the unique feature of Navalgund Durries?
RK: Navalgund is home to the last weaving cluster in Karnataka that preserves the art of durry weaving on vertical looms, known locally as Khadav Magga. These durries are distinguished by their striking geometric patterns that reflect the town’s soul. Among these designs, the iconic peacock motifs stand out, honouring the town’s name, ‘Hill of Peacocks’...
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