There has been an increased demand for Indian woven durries recently. Those wishing to import them and those living in the country of India. Many decorate their homes or their offices and businesses such as the Bangalore restaurants and hotels with these low maintenance carpets. The durry is a woven cloth that can be used under mattresses or as floor coverings. They are very sturdy, and have no piles, so the care of them is made very simple. Both are made on looms, the floor durry on a grand scale loom called an adda.
The traditional techniques of weaving the durries can be seen in the villages of Punjab, Rajasthan and Harayana. Some girls are taught how to weave durries at a very young age as part of the cultural tradition of preparing their wedding trousseau. However, some of the villages, such as Navalgund, never allow the girls to learn this craft, as they might take what they know, and employ themselves, outside of their future husband’s household.
Durries differ from the traditional Indian rugs in their design. While most think of flowers and paisleys when thinking of the Indian carpets, the durries are often created with geometric designs or bright strips of various colors. Birds and animals are also used to create the colorful motifs. The finer quality durries, crafted from silk and cotton can be found in Salem, while others such as those made with jute fiber are found in West Bengal. As stated earlier, these mats are lighter and more easily cared for than the thicker rugs, and are preferred by many modern housewives of India for just this reason. They are less expensive, can be washed in the home, and can be easily replaced when they wear out. However, the durry is known for the strength of the weaves and many last, and continue to hold their beauty for up to twenty years.