As the ancient city of Ayodhya was adorned for the grand inauguration of the Ram temple, nearly 900 kilometers away, in the quiet village of Katapali within Bargah district of Odisha, a unique creation was taking shape in the hands of Ishwar Meher. A National Award-winning master craftsperson of 2015, Meher dedicated five months to weaving a sari that would depict the legendary Ram Setu, the bridge believed to have been constructed by Lord Ram’s army of monkeys and bears in the Indian epic, Ramayana.
The exceptional sari, a product of intricate labor and cultural significance, is slated for exhibition at Delhi’s revered Jagannath Temple on January 22. According to Hindu belief, Lord Ram is venerated as one of the ten incarnations of God Jagannath, which lends profound spiritual value to Meher’s handiwork. Dushyant Meher, son of Kailash Meher who was one of Mr. Ishwar Meher’s revered five gurus, explained the significance of the sari that intertwines with their heritage. “The temple is receiving a plethora of offerings from devotees nationwide, but it’s crucial that our sari’s exquisite nature isn’t overshadowed by the magnitude of the event. It’s our ancestral legacy,” remarked Dushyant, who is actively involved in promoting the unique craftsmanship of his community.
Sambalpur, the region in Odisha that houses the artisan’s village, is steeped in mythological and spiritual importance. Associated traditionally with Koshal—believed to be the maternal home of Lord Ram—Sambalpur’s weavers hold a familial affection for Ram, perceiving him as a nephew and an essential part of their collective spiritual identify, as elucidated by Mr. Ishwar Meher. With the assistance of his wife Reboti and son Manas, Mr. Meher envisioned and crafted the masterpiece utilizing the indigenous Sambalpuri baandhakala ikat technique, which involves laboriously tying and dyeing the cotton yarn before setting it on the loom.
In 2019, Mr. Meher was honored with the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Award, determined for “outstanding handloom weavers” as described on a government website. The award recognized the immense time and effort he invests into his craft. Demonstrating the value embedded within such intricate work, Mr. Meher noted that the pricing of the saree, an asking sum of ₹1.10 lakh (approximately $1,460 USD), is a reflection of the craft’s labor intensity—with each saree mandating a minimum fabrication time of two months. He harbors the hope that the Ram Setu sari’s exhibition will not only captivate onlookers but also kindle a boost in sales, essential for the survival of the traditional craft.
The commercial landscape for these sarees has been challenging due to weak market linkages, which often results in craftspeople receiving diminished returns as intermediaries profit disproportionately. With power loom alternatives and imitative printed fabrics available at significantly lower prices, sustaining the traditional craft has become increasingly difficult, lamented Dushyant Meher.
This particular sari is captivating, with a black Ram Setu bridging down the midst of its aquatic blue expanse, symbolizing the sea that stretches between Sri Lanka and India. The stones of the bridge, adorned with the inscription ‘Shri Ram’—reminiscent of the stones believed to have been used in constructing the mythological bridge—are detailed alongside motifs of religious symbolism including rice stalks, rudraksha beads, and betel nut flowers. The sari’s pallu narrates the legendary tale of the bridge’s construction by depicting the vanar sena (monkey army), squirrels, figures like Ram and Hanuman, and other characters from the Ramayana. Its borders are further embellished with marine motifs—conch shells, fish, and tortoises—enhancing its cultural narrative.
In essence, Ishwar Meher is not just a weaver of fabric, but a guardian of a mythic tradition, threading stories of divine avatars into cotton. His Ram Setu sari stands as a testament to artistic devotion, bridging the gap between tangible craft and intangible heritage.
