If you are looking to give your home a unique touch and incorporate sustainable design, you might want to consider the addition of a dhurrie rug into your home. Known for their reversible nature, durability, and distinctive patterns, dhurrie rugs are a perfect accent piece that can make your space feel warm and inviting. Their rich history and tradition are sure to make this rug a conversation piece with family and friends.
What is a dhurrie rug?
In general, a dhurrie rug is a thick, flat woven rug without pile backing, that makes them reversible and lightweight. Due to their tight weave, dhurrie rugs tend to be durable and easy to upkeep. There are many different types of dhurrie rugs ranging in style, technique, and pattern. They can be simple and minimalistic to extremely colorful and printed with intricate patterns.
History of the Dhurrie Rug
Dhurrie rugs originate in India and its surrounding regions. In traveler journals dating all the way back to the 13th century, there are accounts of the dhurrie floor coverings throughout the country. It was commonly thought for a long time, due to its practical and long-lasting nature, that dhurrie rugs were for poorer homes. However, one of the earliest depictions of the rug, is found in a painting, of King Mahajanaka standing on a plain Indian dhurrie. Throughout time these rugs have been used and cherished by commoners and royals alike.
Although the dhurrie rug has been around for thousands of years, it was not until recently that they have come into the spotlight as a contemporary, and stylish piece for the home.
Savoir-faire
Dhurries are created manually by skilled artisans. Each dhurrie rug is woven using a loom and incorporates techniques used for thousands of years. The weaving process requires complete precision, is time consuming and labor intensive. It is important to note that there are of course, similar-style rugs that are advertised as dhurries from large manufacturers, but these rugs are not as authentic, stylish or durable as the handmade variety.
In India, the dhurrie tradition has become one of the richest craft traditions in the country. The techniques, patterns and colors have been passed on for generations, holding a vast amount of cultural symbolism. Today, the region of Uttar Pradesh boasts the most well-known and exciting supply of dhurries. It is here that our artisan partners create our Tapis Chindi Dhurrie.
Sustainable Design and the invention of Chindi Dhurrie
There are a wide variety of patterns, prints and type of dhurrie rugs that have been created over the centuries. Most exciting however, is the newly developed and designed chindi dhurrie. The Chindi dhurrie is made using re-purposed materials to create colorful rugs that are easy on the environment.
Chindi dhurries are often referred to as rag rugs, as they are made from scraps of recycled fabric. The bold colors and ever-changing patterns mean that not two of these rugs are exactly the same. They tend to be produced with a wide variety of intricate fabrics and block-printed with a geometric pattern on one side to create a truly reversable and unique work of art.
While the origins of the rugs are unknown, it’s thought to have been developed by a skilled woman artisan in her home.
At Le Tattva we are grateful to partner with skilled women artisans who are creating our dhurrie rugs in Panipat, India. All of our rugs are fair trade certified, ensuring that the tradition of chinidi dhurrie can live on through our artisans, who earn a fair wage, work in safe environments and are able to uplift their families and communities through their work.
