Bomkai
Butidar Bomkai / Sonepur Sari
“A traditional Odisha handloom sari, renowned for its intricate thread work that adorns the border and pallu (end-piece).”
Woven on pit looms by the skilled Bhulia community of Sonepur, this exquisite creation is commonly known as the Bomkai or Sonepuri sari. It is distinguished by its plain body, a contrasting border, and a heavily patterned pallu, making it a striking representation of Odisha’s rich weaving heritage.
The pallu serves as a canvas of artistic expression, featuring ornate motifs inspired by geometry and nature, including floral patterns and rudraksha beads. The temple border design, reminiscent of sacred shrines and architecture, enhances the sari’s traditional appeal, while small woven butis scattered across the body add an extra touch of elegance.
The use of fine silk threads and vibrant colours lends the sari a luxurious and lustrous finish.
Gateway; sacred geometry of the south. Identified across the border and pallu of this object.
Open motif entryCosmic order; mathematical harmony in weave. Identified across the woven ground of this object.
Open motif entryIkat is among the most demanding of textile techniques — the resist-dye is applied not to finished cloth, but to the yarn itself, before a single thread reaches the loom. Bundles of warp (or weft, or both) are bound and dyed in successive colour baths; the pattern emerges as the loom finally aligns them. In India, three lineages dominate: the double-ikat patola of Patan in Gujarat, the bandha of Odisha, and the cotton and silk ikats of Pochampally and Puttapaka in Telangana.