Hand made rug forming an excellent floor covering with the feel and texture of wool fibers compliments any decor. Namdah, the Urdu word for rug is a felted textile product created in various parts of the country. It uses wool as a raw material and applies non woven techniques of felting to create sheets which are dyed and decorated with appliqué and other surface ornamentation techniques. These sheets are generally used for floor coverings, animal trappings and other products. Felt products are made from coarse wool with or without admixture of another animal fibre, vegetable fibre or man-made fibre. With the advent of competition pure wool has given way to waste wool in making of Namdah. Felt artisans of Kutch who earlier used to fabricate animal saddles for royal families and patrons have now started utilizing the technique in the making of rugs, spreads and other life style accessories. The natural texture of the wool dyed in bright colors brings in an earthy appeal to the interior of a household.
Traditional Trivia
Felting is one of the oldest form of fabric known to humankind predating weaving and knitting. Myths and legends narrate that art of making Namdah originated during the time of Chengez Khan, the Mongol. He used to carry sheeps even to the battlefield to provide wool to his soldiers for making makeshift beddings. These beddings were made simply by laying layers of wool on top of each other. With constant use the bedding got dirty. When they were washed with cleansing agent it resulted in natural felting of the woolen fibers. Thus the process of felting evolved. Once this process evolved it was further refined and passed on to the next generation of soldiers. As the Mongol and Mughal rule spread across India so did the craft. This craft was adopted by the Muslims and Hindus who had converted to Islam. They continued this craft in order to have an identity related to that of their Muslim rulers. This led to the sowing of the seeds of Namdah craft in Gujarat and other parts of the country. Traditionally Pinjara community practiced this craft form and later they also started being known as the Namdagar.