Jaipuri Razai, A Traditional Indian Quilt

Rajasthan encompasses the Aravalli Mountain Range and the Thar (Great Indian) Desert. This makes the terrain inhospitable and the climate cold, especially at night. The people of that region traditionally have been nomads. Traders, shepherds and others spent days on the road in caravans. They needed a cover to keep them warm at night without a lot of bulk or weight to carry with them during the day. Over time, local quiltmakers developed techniques which created a quilt that was lightweight, compact, warm and durable, all at once.

The material of choice for a Jaipuri razai is cotton. The cotton fill of a Jaipuri razai is finely carded to remove all the dross. A carder is a paddle covered on one side with fine teeth. The worker places a ball of cotton on one carder and combs through it with another carder. Carding separates the cotton fibers, allowing the worker to draw out all of the dross, or waste material. In the process of carding, a dense cotton ball becomes light and fluffy. To make a Jaipuri razai, a worker starts with a kilogram (approximately 2.2 pounds) of cotton. After carding for a full week, approximately 100 grams (or 3.5 ounces) of cotton will remain. Makers of these quilts are careful to draw out as much dross, and to separate as many of the cotton fibers, as possible. Light, fluffy cotton fill is what makes these quilts warm.

Once the cotton is completely carded, the artisans go on to make the quilt. The shell of the comforter can be velvet or silk, but the most common fabric is cotton. Often, the cotton will be decorated in the traditional Indian art of block print before the quilt is put together. Layering the cotton fill on the shell is an important step in making these quilts. The cotton has to be distributed evenly throughout the quilt in order to maintain its comfort and warmth.

Once the fill is carefully layered on the shell, the quilt is stitched together and quilted. In modern times, the stitching around the sides is usually done by machine in order to increase the durability of the quilt. However, even these days, the quilting on the quilt panels themselves is typically done by a hand-held needle. This stitching on the interior of the quilt surface helps to hold the fill in place and adds to the beauty of the quilt.

Jaipuri razais may be handmade and lightweight, but they are hardly flimsy. In fact, they are quite durable. Of course, they would need to be, considering their origins on caravan routes. And they can fill many needs in your house. Undoubtedly, they are great as a quilt for your bed. They are also a cozy choice as a throw for TV time or reading. Since they are compact, you will have no trouble folding them away in a guest room closet for use when company comes. And they are a great choice for dorm rooms that have to be unpacked every spring and recreated every fall.

If necessity is the mother of invention, it was the necessity of keeping warm in a rugged climate while on the go that caused artisans to invent, and then refine, the Jaipuri razai. They are functional, durable and expertly made. And they're gorgeous. Just look at these pictures!