Kota Doria Sarees

Kota Doria Saree

Kota sarees are not necessarily an abbreviated reference to Kota Doria sarees. The term ‘Kota’ often seems to be used, in common parlance, to indicate any fabric similar to Kota Doria fabric which is specifically from Rajasthan.

The origins of Kota Doria are spectacularly unclear though. The fabric woven in the Kota area is believed to have once, centuries ago, been plain fine cotton although Kota Doria is now checked. Adding to the confusion, Kota sarees have also been called Masuria sarees in the recent past which, depending on what one is inclined to believe, refers to the texture of Masur dal, the silk used in Kota Doria having been sourced from Mysore, or, possibly, the weavers of Kota Doria themselves having migrated to Rajasthan from Mysore centuries ago.

Whatever the origins of Kota Doria are, sarees made of the fabric are light and translucent with a checked pattern called ‘khat’, presumably, a reference to faveoli. The fabric is cotton, silk-cotton or, occasionally, tussar. Many Kota Doria sarees are printed, and some have zari; almost all that remains constant when it comes to these sarees is the base fabric with its latticed checks.