Dresses not stitched but woven 110 years ago, a centre of attraction in Odisha’s Subarnapur 

A shirt and a pair of pants preserved for 110 years by a weaver family at Sukha village under Dunguguripalli block in Subarnapur district has become the cynosure of all eyes as locals and people from nearby areas are flocking to the weaver family’s house to have a look at the clothes. 

The simple-looking dresses are attracting crowds not because of them being ancient ones but because of another startling fact. The fact is that they are not stitched but woven. Yes, you heard that right. Jagannath Meher, a master weaver of his time, had woven the dresses without using a needle and thread. 

Jagannath had woven them in 1913. Employing his knowledge and skills, he had woven them from a single piece of cloth. According to the visitors, the dresses are one-of-its-kind and are worth displaying at museums. 

Nowadays, the family members of the master craftsman feel proud of their forefathers' extraordinary skills.

“The dresses are woven without using needle and thread. Even the buttons are not stitched but woven. When we think, it astonishes us how my grandfather did this,” said Narahari Meher, grandson of Jagannath Meher. 

“He (Jagannath Meher) inherited the skill from his forefathers. The important fact is that he didn’t use needle or thread to prepare them,” observed Tikelal Meher, a villager. 

According to researchers, Jagannath had spun thread using a spinning wheel and woven four such pair of dresses. After presenting Padmapur king, Sonepur king and landlord of Sukha village a packet of such exceptionally -woven dresses each as a gift, he had kept one pair of pants and a shirt as a sign of proud possession. 

“When I had a first look at the dresses, I was astonished. I can’t help showering praise on him (Jagannath Meher) for his extraordinary skill to weave without using needle and thread with the simple techniques available in those days. It should found a place in Limca Book of Records,” said Kishore Meher, a researcher.  

Subarnapur Zilla Parishad chairperson Supar Thela was all praise for Jagannath Meher and his extraordinary skill. 

“Today, there are modern equipment to stitch dresses. But what he (Jagannath Meher) did in those days has set him apart from others. The present day weavers are at a loss thinking about his mastery of weaving skills. I would like to request the government to take appropriate steps so that all should be aware of our ancient weavers’ mastery over art and craft,” said the ZP chairperson.