Molakalmuru saree recreated for NGMA Bengaluru exhibition

A saree held in a Paris museum and labelled only as coming from south India has been recreated in Molakalmuru using a Jala loom technique that had faded from the region.

Textile revivalist Lavina Baldota saw similarities between the saree’s weave and Molakalmuru’s textile tradition. Her team traced the work to a Jala loom and worked with Manjunath DS, a weaver from a family that has practised the craft in Molakalmuru for generations. Manjunath learnt the technique and set up a loom to recreate the saree. Its ikat was tie-dyed in Telangana before being woven in Molakalmuru.

The recreated textile is part of *Pampa – Textiles of Karnataka* at the National Gallery of Modern Art Bengaluru. Organised by the Abheraj Baldota Foundation with the Union culture ministry and NGMA Bengaluru, the exhibition brings together more than 150 textiles, artworks and installations spanning Karnataka’s handmade and hand-patterned traditions from the 18th century to the present.

The exhibition was first shown in Hampi in March 2025 and remains open in Bengaluru until December 15.