SUMAHAA← Back to Saree Heritage
The story
Jamdani developed in Bengal, especially around Dhaka, and flourished under Mughal and Nawabi patronage. Political and economic change disrupted its historic centres, but weaving knowledge continued in Bangladesh and in West Bengal communities including Phulia, Katwa and Kalna.
How it is made
The base cloth is woven on a pit loom while supplementary weft threads are inserted by hand to build each motif. This discontinuous extra-weft method is slow and exacting, allowing patterns to appear as if suspended on the ground.
Materials and character
Traditionally associated with very fine cotton, Jamdani is now also woven with silk and zari. Motif yarn is often thicker than the ground so the design remains legible.
Why it matters
One of Bengal's most admired loom traditions, worn for cultural celebrations and valued internationally as exceptional intangible textile heritage.