Mashru Patan

Introduction:

This craft is woven textile craft which stems from religion. This craft is derived from Arabic languages which means permission. It is a woven textile craft where it lends credibility to the textile. This fabric has silk façade and cotton layer on one side which keeps the silk from touching the skin. Satin weave gives it more sheen and bold striped in fabric gives contrasting hues.

 Usage: _

• This fabric is used in garments like in shirts and trousers.
• The fabric is used for filling in cushions and quilts later.
• This textile is used in shawls, Stiles, cushions, cushion covers and quilts. It is common in kutchi community.
• It is being used in ghutras and people prefer dotted patterns.
• Muslim community is forbidded to wear fabric made from woven textile or derived from insect cocoons. 
• Mashroo fabric was woven in such a way that it touched the skin while silk floated on top.
• Its vibrant colour help muslim community to flaunt royalty in this lustrous garment.
• It was exported in gulf and ottoman empire
• Fabric is strong and long lasting
• Lustrous compositions have practical utility.
• Mashroo is an important part of bridal trousseau and indian have added a local flavour while adopting it.

Design: –

• Mashroo fabric is mix of cotton and silk. This fabric is woven with bold colours and ikat patterns. There are motifs also developed over the years.
• There are several designs and patterns which are achieved using contrasting colours.
• Let’s see different patterns
• Khajuria- with different series of chronical lines throughout fabric length.
• Kankani – Dots design are put on fabric
• Danedar- This pattern involves the cotton theft and carefully chosen colours of warp and weft. It helps to give some touch to fabric.

Challenges: –

• Craftsmen working on this craft are in age bracket of 60 and work almost 8 hours a day.
• Present generation is not integrated in this craft as this craft does not give suitable income.
• Major portion of craftsmen work for merchant, and daily wages are being paid to weavers.
• Wages are meager and merchants don’t put more initiative to deal in raw materials and selling these products to gain better income.
• Craftsmen for this craft are decreasing generation after generation.
• Natural dyes are rarely seen now days as synthetic dyes are available which result in poor durability of fabric in long run.
•  Pure silk had been replaced by viscous rayon and though it retains the silk fabric.  Bonding with synthetic fibre will make the fabric weak and nom durable.