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The story
Ilkal sarees take their name from the weaving town in Karnataka's Bagalkot region. Their identity is inseparable from a specialised construction that joins the body warp to a contrasting pallu warp.
How it is made
The body and pallu use separately prepared warps joined through the tope teni interlocking method. Cotton bodies may be paired with silk or art-silk pallus, with traditional borders built through careful colour transitions.
Materials and character
Cotton, silk and mixed-yarn combinations are common. The pallu composition, border yarn, joining technique and handloom production all influence value.
Why it matters
A strong expression of northern Karnataka identity, valued for ingenious construction, durability and bold colour structure.