Calico Museum of Textiles, glittering amidst the backdrop of the highly impressive famous Sarabhai House is the veritable reminder of the cultural aura of the fabrics of Gujarat evolved over the different centuries by the genius of the artisans of Gujarat through the medium of textiles.

The various galleries of the museum also accommodate brilliantly hand woven stuff from all over India of elaborate design and delicate artwork. Not only that, the glamour of this museum is enhanced by Kalamkaris, silks, pitchwais, floor spreads, bandhnis, tent canopies, precious brocades and patolas also.

The Religious Textiles Division of this most exciting museum displays 15th century traditional wares of the famous Sampradaya of the great saint Vallabhacharya. Mughal extravaganza textiles also find a place in the historical section of this gallery. Not only clothing items but articles which have stood the time honored traditions like centuries old frescos, hand woven fabrics, paint colors and designs also find their place here.

History

This Calico Museum of Textiles was originally situated inside the Calico Mills compound but then, as the rare collections of the exhibits from all over India increased, it was shifted to the picturesque surroundings of Sarabhai House. Now there is no doubt that it is one of the unique museums of Ahmadabad. Its idea was conceived by Shri Sarabhai and accommodated fabrics and textiles of 17th century. Even at the present time, it can boast of textiles and fabrics from each and every region of India.

Sections of Museum

Thematic Sections

More than five centuries of spun, woven, printed type fabrics printed and painted in different parts of the whole of India are housed in the Calico Museum. A fine collection of bronze, marble and sandstone icons and busts are housed in the Museum in two distinct categories, one for religious textiles and the other for historic textiles. For purposes of research work and those interested in searching for finer details in a short time, an up-to-date reference library on textiles has also been set up.

Amazing Collection

Right from second floor to the ground level, colourful glittering embroidered wall hangings depicting and eulogizing the legends of Lord Krishna adorn the walls. Other famous cloth items include those decorated with glossy mirror work, screen prints, intricate embroidery and block prints especially produced for the British and Portuguese and exported to Bali islands. Also included in the museum amazing collections, are the embroidered tent and robes of Emperor Shah Jahan. Plush Carpets and plump cushions, which were in Muslim palaces, also find a place in this exquisite museum.

The Fabulous Patola

Some of the best examples of the Patola saris woven in Patan also are included in the collection of the museum. The Zari work extravaganza gilding saris in heavy gold stitching enhance the weight to almost nine kilos.

Jain Section

This part of the museum contains of a replica of a Jain Haveli Temple with statues housed in it. Rare, centuries old, manuscripts along with ‘mandalas’ painted on leaves are also are housed in the Jain temple. The traditional symbols like snake and ladder motif, symbolic of karmic rebirth and cycles are also found on palm leaf motives.

State Specialties

Among the plethora of various states from India exhibits -

Kashniri shawls,Kullu embroidery,Varanasi silk brocades glittering in nature,Punjab folk art and,Tamil Nadu large temple wooden cars exhibits are feast to the eye.

Cotton ‘mashru’ and tribal crafts such as Kachchi silk weaving are artfully displayed in spectacular wooden’ havelis’ from Patna and Siddhpur in northern Gujarat. Museum authorities have exhibited clear label models and diagrams to explain the finer aspects of weaving, dyeing and embroidery processes.

Galleries of Museum

The Calico Museum consists of different galleries. Extensive textile collections of Vallabha Sampradaya of the 15th Century are placed in the Religious Textiles Division. Because of its religious devotional background, it attracts guests with a religious bent of mind. Likewise, the historical gallery draws people with a historical ambience. Mughal period carpets and textiles show the grandeur of those bygone days.

Visitor Information

No entry after 11 am

Entry restricted to 30 visitors – 15 visitors on the first-come-first served and 15 by group booking. Organizers of tours up to 15 members are requested to contact the administration to make and confirm the arrange3ment in advance.