Calico: Versatile Fabrics.

Indian fabrics were one of the earliest forms of woven textiles and over centuries they have touched many lives across the globe. Since ancient times, these uniquely crafted fabrics dominated global textile trade. The literature and artifacts curated in museums all over the world provide many evidences, proving that Indian fabrics are as ancient and as varied as its people.
For many centuries before Silk was introduced to India cotton was the only source of yarn for weavers. Muslin of Dhaka and Calico of Kozhikode (Calicut) both are cotton fabrics, and are world renowned textiles.
Calico fabric is a plain-woven textile, made from half-processed and unbleached cotton fibres. It’s a coarse and rough fabric, but not as sturdy as denim or canvas, nor as fine as Muslin. 
Calico is generally very cheap due to it’s unfinished nature, and the fact that it remains un-dyed and raw. 
The process of making calico is essentially the same as making cotton cloth, but stopping before the cotton is fully processed. 
Weavers receive raw cotton in bales and generally process them in stages. They first pull the fibres into alignment and remove impurities. 
They smooth the fibres out, spin the fibres to strengthen them and then begin the weaving course. Calico fabric is created using a plain weave which sees the lengthwise yarns (the weft) passing over and under the crosswise yarns (the warp), alternating each row. 
Calico is perhaps one of the most versatile fabrics used today, with an extensive array of purposes.  Because it has vast variety of qualities and can range from soft and sheer, to strong and coarse. Calico has a long and cultured history as one of the oldest materials in India.  Calico fabric can be sturdy and durable, it’s often used for items such as bags, aprons, curtains and furnishings. 
Those items will see daily wear and tear, but need to remain strong and withstand some abrasion and dirt. Calico fabric is bleached and dyed and can be used for almost every item of clothing or household items.
Even as early as the 12th century, Calico was mentioned by a writer called Hemachandra, who described it as a printed fabric with Lotus pattern. Weavers created Calico using Surat cotton, which made the textile cheap and durable; much like it is today. The sturdy nature of the fabric ensured it passed the test of time and lasted centuries.
Fire made us human, fossil fuels made us modern, but now we need a new fire that makes us safe, secure, healthy and durable.
Jai Devanga.
GaviRangappa S P
Devanga's Vidhana.
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