Durrie - Rural Charm to Regal Grandeur

Exhibition of Indian Durrie rugs from 14 November 2009 to 25 January 2010 at Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The exhibition will be highlighting the history, symbolism, form & function of the Durrie. On display will be the enormous and magnificent examples crafted for Maharajas' palaces, through to the humbler but no less stylish village durrie. The installation will be showcasing artisans weaving in traditional workshops, providing an unique chance to view contemporary design & production, highlighting the continuous thread between past and present.

The exhibition is to be held in two areas: 

1) A Gallery documenting the history of durries focusing on Rajasthan. This will include older/antique examples, miniatures from the Royal collection, sample pattern books, and vintage photographs of durries in use. 

2) An installation in the large courtyard behind the gallery

As a major part of the installation, there will be constructing 2 weavers' huts in the courtyard. These will be highlighting/showcasing styles of durrie weaving produced today by the artisans/weavers. Visitors will be able to buy directly from the weavers on site.

There will be a hut showing a documentary about the weavers, their lives, the stages involved in weaving a durrie from the set up of the loom to the final finishing, and other various aspects of the craft. 

The installation courtyard will also have a display area dedicated to all the aspects involved in making a durrie, from different types of yarn, spinning, dyeing, and the tools involved.

In conjunction with the exhibition the museum is also organizing a weaving course, which will give participants a opportunity to learn from master weavers how to weave their own durrie. 

Location and more information: Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Fort Jodhpur 342 002, Jodhpur Rajasthan, India

Source: The Mehrangarh Museum Trust

Jozan Magazine 1 October 2009