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The Motif Archive

Know Your Motifs

56 traditional motifs, 35 borders, 22 body layouts — with Tamil names, meanings, and symbolism. The definitive vocabulary of Kanchipuram textiles.

56 Motifs35 Borders22 Checks & Layouts

Showing 113 entries

Gopuram
Temple & Architecture

Gopuram

Temple tower

Ascending devotion; recreates the stepped towers of Kanchipuram temples along the border

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Arai Madam
Temple & Architecture

Arai Madam

Half-mandapam / pillared hall

Temple architecture; structural grace

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Sorgavasal
Temple & Architecture

Sorgavasal

Gateway to heaven

Auspicious threshold motif

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Kalasam
Temple & Architecture

Kalasam

Sacred pot / Kumbha

Abundance, auspiciousness; placed at temple entrances

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Kumbham
Temple & Architecture

Kumbham

Sacred vessel

Fertility, prosperity; associated with Kumbhabhishekam rituals

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Vilakku (Lamp)
Temple & Architecture

Vilakku (Lamp)

Oil lamp / Deepam

Light, knowledge, Goddess Lakshmi

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Lakshadeepam
Temple & Architecture

Lakshadeepam

Thousand lamps

Festival of lights; abundance

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Deepalakshmi
Temple & Architecture

Deepalakshmi

Lakshmi with lamp

Wealth, grace, divine feminine

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Ratham (Chariot)
Temple & Architecture

Ratham (Chariot)

Temple chariot

Festival procession; royal heritage

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Temple Bell
Temple & Architecture

Temple Bell

Ritual bell

Sacred sound; calls to worship

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Sangu (Conch)
Temple & Architecture

Sangu (Conch)

Sacred conch shell

Vishnu's conch; used in rituals; auspicious sound

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Chakram / Chakkaram
Temple & Architecture

Chakram / Chakkaram

Wheel / disc

Vishnu's Sudarshana chakra; cosmic order

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Tulasi Madam
Temple & Architecture

Tulasi Madam

Tulasi / Holy Basil shrine

Sacred plant; devotion, purity

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Mayil (Peacock)
Birds & Animals

Mayil (Peacock)

Peacock

Beauty, grace, eternity; Lord Murugan's vahana; Mayil Kann wards off the evil eye

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Jodi Mayil
Birds & Animals

Jodi Mayil

Paired peacocks

Love, union; bridal motif

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Annam / Hamsa
Birds & Animals

Annam / Hamsa

Celestial swan

Discernment — the soul's ability to separate truth from falsehood; sacred to Saraswati

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Annapakshi
Birds & Animals

Annapakshi

Swan bird

Grace and purity; similar to Annam

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Iruthalai Pakshi
Birds & Animals

Iruthalai Pakshi

Two-headed bird (Gandaberunda)

Royal power; emblem of the Vijayanagara Empire

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Kili (Parrot)
Birds & Animals

Kili (Parrot)

Parrot

Love messenger; associated with Goddess Meenakshi

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Jodi Kili
Birds & Animals

Jodi Kili

Paired parrots

Romance, companionship; popular bridal motif

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Yazhi / Yali
Birds & Animals

Yazhi / Yali

Mythical guardian — part lion, part elephant, part horse

Ancient courage, protection; carved on temple pillars as guardians

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Simha Yali
Birds & Animals

Simha Yali

Lion-form Yali

Royal strength; guardian of the threshold

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Gandaberunda
Birds & Animals

Gandaberunda

Two-headed eagle

Supreme power; emblem of the Vijayanagara / Mysore royal lineage

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Gaja (Elephant)
Birds & Animals

Gaja (Elephant)

Elephant

Wisdom, royalty, Ganesha's form; auspicious beginnings

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Navanari Kunjara
Birds & Animals

Navanari Kunjara

Nine-women elephant

Women's forms composing an elephant; extraordinary weaving skill; feminine collective strength

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Navanari Ashwa
Birds & Animals

Navanari Ashwa

Nine-women horse

Same technique as Navanari Kunjara; horse form composed of women's figures

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Vrishaba Kunjara
Birds & Animals

Vrishaba Kunjara

Bull-elephant

Composite sacred animal; strength and divinity combined

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Ashwa (Horse)
Birds & Animals

Ashwa (Horse)

Horse

Speed, nobility, royal cavalry

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Gomata
Birds & Animals

Gomata

Cow

Sacred, nurturing; Kamadhenu energy

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Kamadhenu
Birds & Animals

Kamadhenu

Divine wish-fulfilling cow

Abundance, maternal protection

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Kuyil Kann
Birds & Animals

Kuyil Kann

Cuckoo's eye

Delicate, refined; popular filler motif

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Manga / Mampazham (Mango)
Flowers & Nature

Manga / Mampazham (Mango)

Mango / Paisley

Fertility, prosperity, new beginnings; essential bridal motif — the Mankolam

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Kamalam (Lotus)
Flowers & Nature

Kamalam (Lotus)

Lotus

Purity, divine beauty; seat of Lakshmi and Saraswati

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Malli Moggu
Flowers & Nature

Malli Moggu

Jasmine bud

Delicacy, fragrance, femininity; South Indian wedding flower

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Pillayar Moggu
Flowers & Nature

Pillayar Moggu

Ganesha bud

Auspicious beginning; Ganesha's form in floral style

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Thamarai Kodi
Flowers & Nature

Thamarai Kodi

Lotus creeper

Growth, grace

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Thazhampoo Rekku
Flowers & Nature

Thazhampoo Rekku

Screwpine (Kewra) flower wing

Coastal Tamil flower; elegant wing-spread pattern

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Karpaga Virutcham
Flowers & Nature

Karpaga Virutcham

Wish-fulfilling divine tree

Celestial abundance; the tree that grants all desires

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Kodi Visiri
Flowers & Nature

Kodi Visiri

Fan-shaped creeper

Decorative filler; graceful movement

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Chakara Poo
Flowers & Nature

Chakara Poo

Wheel flower

Decorative geometric floral

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Poo Chakram
Flowers & Nature

Poo Chakram

Flower wheel

Floral circle; medallion motif

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Nelikkai
Flowers & Nature

Nelikkai

Indian Gooseberry (Amla)

Rejuvenation, Ayurvedic significance

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Neli (Rice Grain)
Flowers & Nature

Neli (Rice Grain)

Paddy grain

Prosperity, harvest, auspiciousness

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Rudraksham
Geometric & Symbolic

Rudraksham

Rudraksha bead

Sacred to Shiva; spiritual protection

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Muthu Kattam
Geometric & Symbolic

Muthu Kattam

Pearl check / Pearl grid

Refinement, luxury; popular in Thirubhuvanam weaves

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Kasa Kasa Checks
Geometric & Symbolic

Kasa Kasa Checks

Fine seed-like check

Delicate all-over texture

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Ayiram Butta
Geometric & Symbolic

Ayiram Butta

Thousand buttas / motifs

Abundance; all-over butta field

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Rekku (Wing)
Geometric & Symbolic

Rekku (Wing)

Wing

Flight, freedom; used in border and filler contexts

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Vanki Butta
Geometric & Symbolic

Vanki Butta

Armlet zigzag motif

Traditional jewellery form translated into weave

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Vanasingaram
Geometric & Symbolic

Vanasingaram

Forest lion / ornamental

Decorative power motif

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Kalaimagal
Figural & Auspicious

Kalaimagal

Goddess Saraswati

Learning, arts, wisdom

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Kattam Butta
Figural & Auspicious

Kattam Butta

Check with butta

Combined geometric-figural pattern

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Kuyilkan Butta
Figural & Auspicious

Kuyilkan Butta

Cuckoo-eye butta

Delicate dot-in-eye filler motif

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Mallimoggu Butta
Figural & Auspicious

Mallimoggu Butta

Jasmine bud butta

Fine floral filler

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Kasu / Coins
Figural & Auspicious

Kasu / Coins

Gold coins

Lakshmi's coins; wealth, prosperity

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Jodi (Bridal figures)
Figural & Auspicious

Jodi (Bridal figures)

Paired human forms

Couple; bridal / wedding-specific motif

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Korvai Border
Border

Korvai Border

Separately woven border, manually interlocked

Fabric will tear before border detaches — defines authentic Kanchipuram

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Rettai Pet Border
Border

Rettai Pet Border

Double-edged border

Two rows of border pattern — hallmark of Kanchipuram construction

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Gopuram Border
Border

Gopuram Border

Temple tower silhouette

Most iconic Kanchipuram border; stepped triangle form

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Salangai Border
Border

Salangai Border

Ankle-bell motif

Rhythmic, delicate; dance reference

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Thazhampoo Rekku Border
Border

Thazhampoo Rekku Border

Screwpine flower wing pattern

Coastal Tamil motif

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Mangala Vastram Border
Border

Mangala Vastram Border

Auspicious border

Temple sarees and ritual weaves

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Veldhari Border
Border

Veldhari Border

Diagonal stripe pattern

Geometric border; contemporary and classic use

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Vairaoosi Border
Border

Vairaoosi Border

Diamond / needle-eye pattern

Fine geometric precision

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Vanjipet Border
Border

Vanjipet Border

Named for Vanjipet weaving community

Regional weaving tradition

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Arai Madam Border
Border

Arai Madam Border

Half-mandapam structure

Pillared hall architecture woven along the border

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Bavanji Border
Border

Bavanji Border

Traditional geometric construction

Heritage border form

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Rudraksha Border
Border

Rudraksha Border

Rudraksha bead pattern

Spiritual protection; sacred to Shiva

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Malli Moggu Border
Border

Malli Moggu Border

Jasmine bud border

Delicacy, femininity

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Rekku Border
Border

Rekku Border

Wing motif border

Flight, freedom

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Kodi Border
Border

Kodi Border

Vine / creeper motif border

Growth, grace

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Annam Border
Border

Annam Border

Celestial swan border

Discernment, purity

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Mayil Border
Border

Mayil Border

Peacock motif border

Beauty, grace, eternity

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Kili Border
Border

Kili Border

Parrot motif border

Love, romance

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Yaazhi Border
Border

Yaazhi Border

Mythical guardian creature border

Protection, ancient power

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Kumbha Border
Border

Kumbha Border

Sacred pot border

Abundance, auspiciousness

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Temple Border
Border

Temple Border

Temple architecture-inspired

Broader temple pattern category

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Side Temple Border
Border

Side Temple Border

Temple pattern along the selvedge

Sacred framing of the saree edge

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Muthu Seer Border
Border

Muthu Seer Border

Pearl-arrangement border

Refined luxury

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Pettu Border
Border

Pettu Border

Supplementary weft "struck" border

Creates relief texture; visible craftsmanship

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Rettai Pettu / Muthu Pettu Border
Border

Rettai Pettu / Muthu Pettu Border

Double-struck / pearl-struck border combination

Double the relief; maximum texture

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Kottadi Border
Border

Kottadi Border

Basket-weave pattern border

Geometric interlacing

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Gap Border
Border

Gap Border

Open / spaced border design

Breathing room; contemporary minimal

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One Kunjam Border
Border

One Kunjam Border

Single tassel / pendant border

Elegant fringe detail

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Double Kunjam Border
Border

Double Kunjam Border

Twin tassel border

Richer fringe ornamentation

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Long Border
Border

Long Border

Wide, deep border

Near pallu-width treatment; grand statement

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Small Border
Border

Small Border

Narrow, minimal border

Understated elegance

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Thread Border
Border

Thread Border

Fine thread detailing

Minimalist; pure craft without ornamentation

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Self Border
Border

Self Border

Body and border in same colour

Monochromatic harmony

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Contrast Border
Border

Contrast Border

Body and border in contrasting colours

Classic Korvai contrast; the defining Kanchipuram look

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Thandavalam / Stripe Border
Border

Thandavalam / Stripe Border

Line / stripe running along the border

Clean, architectural rhythm

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Kasa Kasa Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Kasa Kasa Kattam

Fine seed-like check

Almost micro-textural; delicacy of weave

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Muthu Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Muthu Kattam

Pearl check

Refined, associated with Thirubhuvanam weaving

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Puli Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Puli Kattam

Tiger stripe check

Bold, powerful; geometric strength

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Vaira Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Vaira Kattam

Diamond check

Classic geometric precision

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Kottadi Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Kottadi Kattam

Basket-weave check

Interlacing geometry

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Rettai Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Rettai Kattam

Double check

Twin-grid pattern

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Koorainadu Kattam
Checks & Layouts

Koorainadu Kattam

Koorainadu weaving tradition check

Regional weaving heritage

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Micro Checks
Checks & Layouts

Micro Checks

Very fine check

Subtle all-over texture at fine scale

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Nano Checks
Checks & Layouts

Nano Checks

Finest scale check

Almost a texture rather than a pattern

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Window Pane Checks
Checks & Layouts

Window Pane Checks

Large-scale open check

Contemporary; architectural geometry

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Paalum Pazhamum
Checks & Layouts

Paalum Pazhamum

"Milk and fruit" — two-tone body/border contrast

Classic Kanchipuram colour combination

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Ganga Jamuna
Checks & Layouts

Ganga Jamuna

Two contrasting colours in warp

Named for the Ganga and Yamuna rivers; dual tone

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Half and Half
Checks & Layouts

Half and Half

Body divided into two colour fields

Strong visual divide; contemporary adaptation

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Mupbagam
Checks & Layouts

Mupbagam

Three-part division

Body + two distinct sections; structural layout term

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Tissue Body
Checks & Layouts

Tissue Body

Zari-dominated body

Diaphanous, near-transparent effect; wedding classic

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Striped Body / Thandavalam
Checks & Layouts

Striped Body / Thandavalam

Warp or weft stripes

Directional rhythm

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Vairaoosi Body
Checks & Layouts

Vairaoosi Body

Diamond / needle-eye all-over pattern

Fine geometric precision across the body

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Veldhari Body
Checks & Layouts

Veldhari Body

Diagonal stripe all-over

Dynamic, directional energy

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Borderless
Checks & Layouts

Borderless

No border

Contemporary, minimal; pure body expression

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Self Coloured
Checks & Layouts

Self Coloured

Monochromatic

Body and border in same hue; quiet elegance

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Contrast Korvai
Checks & Layouts

Contrast Korvai

Separately woven contrasting body and border

The defining Kanchipuram structural feature

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Double Warp Contrast
Checks & Layouts

Double Warp Contrast

Two-shuttle contrast in the warp

Depth of colour built into the very structure of the cloth

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