Features of Gharchola
A typical Gharchola sari is
marked by the large zari checks, 12 section patterns are known by the
name of ‘bar bagh’ and the 52 square saris are known by the name of ‘baavan
bagh’. These checks are carried small golden motifs, the most common motifs
used in the gharchola saris are those of peacocks, lotus, human figures, floral
patterns and the like. Where more than two colors are used, the design is known
as ‘phulwari’ or garden and where animal motifs predominate it is known as
’shikari’ which means hunting scene. The main color used is red, with white and
yellow dots, though green chocolates are also fabricated based on the personal
request of the client.
This silk sarees first
came in from Khambhat formerly known as campy. Earlier it
was the capital of the princely state of British India within the Gujarat
division of Bombay. It lies on an alluvial plain at the north end of the gulf
of Khambhat which was famous for extreme rise and fall of tides. Dating back in
13th century Khambhat was a very
flourishing city with an important trading center and celebrated with
manufacturing silk, chains and gold stuff. Famous traveler Marco polo noted it
as a busy port in 1293. But the decline of the city started in the early 17th
century, mainly because setting up of the gulf and difficulty in accessing the
port. Presently the area is in Anand district of Gujarat with a population of
around 80 thousand. The only industries survive today are the handicrafts of
the unmatched art of working on akik
(agate stones), cutting & polishing of precious/ semi precious stones and
handloom weaving.