Save Tangaliya: A 700-Year-Old Craft Facing Extinction
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Tangaliya, also known as Daana Weaving, is a unique and centuries-old weaving tradition originating from Gujarat’s Surendranagar district. It’s a craft passed down through generations by the Dangasiya community, with a fascinating origin story. According to legend, a young boy from the shepherd community fell in love with a weaver’s daughter. Despite being shunned by his family, he married her and settled with the weaver community, continuing to herd sheep. As he learned the art of weaving from his in-laws, he introduced wool from his herd into the craft, eventually creating the stunning Tangaliya art we know today.
Tangaliya weaving is a highly intricate and labour-intensive craft, where tiny dots of extra weft are twisted around warp threads, creating bead-like embroidery effects on fabric. These detailed geometric patterns are formed simultaneously on both sides of the fabric, adding to its beauty and uniqueness.
Despite its richness and history, Tangaliya weaving is on the brink of extinction. By 2002, only two families in Surendranagar continued the tradition. At Saath, we refused to let this heritage fade into history. Here’s how we’ve worked to revive and preserve the craft:
- Providing access to credit, enabling artisans to buy raw materials.
- Connecting artisans to marketplaces, ensuring fair prices without the interference of middlemen.
- Training in digital marketing, helping artisans expand their reach and grow their customer base.
- Assisting in design innovation, encouraging artisans to create fresh products while maintaining the traditional integrity of Tangaliya fabric.
A Weaver's Story, Chandubhai Vaniya from Surendranagar District:
"When I was young, Tangaliya weaving was on the brink of extinction. Most young people had left for the cities, and only two families in our district still practised the craft. I had to leave school after the 10th grade to support my family. I grew up watching my father at the loom, and though I wanted to study, I too began weaving.
Back then, we made only traditional woollen garments—beautiful, but disconnected from modern tastes. Tangaliya was no longer sustainable, and the knowledge was fading. That’s when Saath Charitable Trust stepped in. They brought us together, created a materials bank, and helped raise awareness about preserving our cultural heritage.
Under Saath’s guidance, the Rweaves initiative was born. It helped us modernise designs, work with new materials, access credit, and sell directly, making the craft viable again. Thanks to this support, Tangaliya is alive today.
More families are weaving again. The youth are returning to the loom. My income has increased by over 60%, I now employ others, and my work is officially recognized by the Ministry of Textiles. My children are educated and financially secure—but my proudest moment is seeing my son Hitesh, once disinterested, now passionate about Tangaliya and eager to grow the business."
Since 2010, our efforts have helped over 45 families reconnect with the art of Tangaliya weaving. However, sustaining and expanding this craft requires ongoing support. Your contribution can ensure that this cultural heritage is preserved for future generations, while providing artisans with a stable and sustainable livelihood.
Join Us in Supporting These Artisans & Preserving Our Culture!
Together, we can help keep this 700-year-old tradition alive. Your donation will not only safeguard the future of Tangaliya weaving but also uplift the lives of artisans and their communities.