Carpets and Namdas

Carpets and Namdas
Carpets were initially unknown to ancient India because of the Hindus’ rigid individualism even in the manner of sitting. The carpet symbolized the collectivism of Islam and it was first brought to India by Arab traders and after them by the early Sultans from the middle and near East. Researches indicate that Jajams, Chaddars and Durries were introduced in India by the Muslims as there was no place for them in the Hindu way of life. The credit of introducing carpets on mass-scale in this sub-continent went to Emperor Akbar. He patronized this art and encouraged the craftsmen to establish factories for manufacturing carpets. The centers set up were at Lahore, Agra, Jaipur and some in Doaba, Punjab. The deep pile Indian hand knotted carpets come in magnificent colors with designs-original and exotic, uniquely modern.
The carpet industry spread over to twenty centers in 7 states of India. The sizes and prices are designed to cater to the needs of modern markets all over the world. The art of manufacture of pile carpet was imported from Persia into this land. But the skill and indigenous touch of the weavers have given it a peculiarity and sociality which has made the Indian carpets renowned in the world market for its exclusive designs and fineness. The Rajasthan carpet is but a true expression of the workers simple philosophy, his sensitive perception of nature and its changing moods convincingly translated into the craft. It is also a ramification of a set design composed of myths, legends, romances, vegetation all round, embossed designs, rangoli pattern, ancient mural designs and folk paintings. The color combinations in the carpets are lovely and workmanship superb. Carpets as fine as 600 Knots or as coarsely handsome as 20 Knots to every square inch, are woven. The carpet maker’s ’loom’ consist of a frame of four beams, the horizontal beam being wedged between the up right ones, the whole set up leaning against a wall, with the carpet-weaver sitting in front of it. The weaver- setter stretches a foundation thread over the top cross- beams, passes it under the lower horizontal beam, back again over the top, and so on, till the required number of wrap threads have been stretched continuously over the top and lower beams. Now is the turn of the weaver who follows the pattern and colors from a design hanging in front of him and prepared by the Master-weaver, taking the wool from balls of different colors placed near him. A Knot is made over the foundation threads and the wool cut off with a Knife keep hanging from his right wrist. When one row of Knots has been tied, the weavers passes a weft through the warp, running it alternately over and below the warp threads, and presses this thread against the row of Knots with a blunt comb-like instrument called the Kangi. Sometimes, for added strength, the Knots may be further stitched to the warp threads. After a number of rows have thus been made the wool is cropped with a pair of curved scissors, but is not cut to the final length at this stage, as this is a step in the process of manufacture carried out by another expert who uses a broad and very sharp Knife for the purpose. This is skilled work especially as the expert works only "by feet". When the whole carpet has been knotted and cropped, it is taken off the loom, and the warp threads cut about four to eight inches from the ends of the carpet. These threads are knotted in pairs so that the Knots press against the weft threads which as stated above serve to bind the rows of tufts. Finally, the carpet is carefully brushed to remove the remnants of wool clipping and is ready for the market. In Rajasthan the art of weaving carpets and Durries got impetus in the times of Mughals with the encouragement and patronage of erstwhile States’ rulers. Raja Man Singh-I of Amer was pioneer in introducing carpet were imported from other cities for their personal use. Raja Jai Singh –I acquired several exquisite carpets from Heart (Afghanistan) for his palaces. Many artisans were invited to Rajasthan to train the local workers, Jaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer were the main centers which got into prominence. The carpet industry of Jaipur received its biggest boost during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh-II. During his administrative reforms in the nineteenth century, he introduced the jali industries, thus bringing into existence the jali carpet factory and along with it the Durri unit. Jaipur is known for its quality carpet specially having the Indo-Heratic designs. These designs are composed of small angular motifs having little rosettes. The corners of these carpets are blended in blue color and the lighter shades are used on the ground. In some green and deep are soft mingled along with boldness of the curving stems. They remind one of the designs in Eastern and Central Persia. The motifs of human figures, flora, fauna, landscape etc. are brought out to give comfort to the eyes. At present they are produced in traditional designs with 16 to 36 knots. The carpets here are produced both having woolen and cotton foundation. The plain carpets made of cotton and called Satrajis and Durris are produced in Jaipur and Bikaner. The Rajasthan carpets are Known for their artistic designs and unfading colors. Leading importers of Jaipur carpet are the U. S., Britain, Switzerland and Australia. The chief centers of production of blankets and namdas are Jaipur, Bikaner and Jodhpur. Blankets of Ajmer and Serge of Bikaner are also very popular. Namdas of Jaipur and Jodhpur are normally in white color. Malpura, a town some 80 Km. from Jaipur is known for producing quality woolen goods called Chakma and Ghogi. They are hand woven and produced out of sheep wool. Images sourced from Google Search Engine with the term "Rajasthan Carpets"