Ilkal

Ilkal, today a rare weave of Karnataka, has few weavers. It takes its name from the word ‘Illekallu’ or the ‘slope down the hill', because of the location where the artisans have originated from. Ilkal saris enjoyed a pride of place in festivities and weddings in north Karnataka. Today pitted against power loom, which produces some powerloom Ilkals to the market, hand woven Ilkal saris spell a class apart. The signature feature of the Ilkal sari is the Pallu (serigu) or end piece made of red silk with patterns in white. The monotony is relieved by different style spokes at the extremities of the white band of the pallu. These spokes are named after their shapes like ‘Hanige' or comb tooth, 'Koti Kammli' or fort ramparts, 'Tope Tenne' or jowar shape and 'Rampa' or mountain range shape.