14/05/2026
Do you know Nepal also has Dhakai motifs?
Well, this is known as Palpali Dhaka as it originated from the hilltop town of Tansen, Palpa.
A hand-woven fabric, it has repetitive geometric patterns and vibrant colors.
History says that in the 19th century, Dambar Kumari, the daughter of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, lived in Varanasi. She admired the block printing process and the weaving technique there. A special cloth known as Chamua Dhaka caught her attention.
Chamua is an extremely fine and soft cloth. Dhaka is the fabric that was imported from undivided Bengal, those days.
Chamua Dhaka became a combination of airy, light cloth with colorful, intricate patterns.
It was used for shawls, stoles and borders for saris.
Still very much in vogue, it's todat confined to a few artisans.
I have with me three cotton shawls. Pls connect if you are interested in them.
Below are some of the motifs that are available in Palpa.