The Santhal's: ​​​​

The Santhali tribe, one of India’s prominent indigenous communities, has always believed that nature is their protector, their mother, and their sacred guide. Rooted in deep ecological wisdom, the Santhals worship nature in all its forms: trees, forests, water, and the earth that sustains them.

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For ages, cotton has held profound spiritual importance in Santhali culture. Considered a symbol of purity and sanctity, cotton is used in almost every significant ritual and ceremony. During festivals like Sarhul, when the community celebrates the spirit of the Sal tree and the arrival of spring, cotton is incorporated at each stage of the worship. The Santhals believe that cotton embodies purity, making it indispensable in offerings, rituals, and traditional practices.

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​​​​Reviving Santhal Heritage Through Craft, Colour & Community​

At Anvrat, we are proud to work closely with the Santhal community weavers of Marsal Prathmik Bunkar Sahyog Samiti Ltd., Hazaribagh, one of Jharkhand’s most culturally rich and skilled weaving clusters. Our collaboration began with training programs in natural dyeing and advanced handloom techniques, but it soon evolved into something far more meaningful: the revival of forgotten cultural textiles and traditional knowledge systems of the Santhal community.

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Sasaang Lugdi — The Return of the Santhali Wedding Saree

In the Santhali dialect, “Sasaang” means turmeric and “Lugdi” refers to a drape or wrapper. Together, they represent a sacred textile deeply rooted in Santhal wedding tradition. Once an essential part of every Santhal marriage, the Sasaang Lugdi was:

• Handwoven at home

• Dyed using turmeric, a symbol of purity and blessing

• Kept whole with no cuts or knots, preserving spiritual continuity for the newlywedded couple

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With time, this tradition faded, and the fabric disappeared from households and rituals. Through research, workshops, and community effort, Anvrat has revived the Sasaang Lugdi not as a product alone, but as a cultural memory woven back into existence.

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Futa Gamcha, A Versatile Classic Revived

Futa Gamcha, a traditional cloth once widely used across Santhal and tribal households, now rarely found.

Inspired by a preserved reference seen at Kala Mandir Museum, Odisha, we brought it back to life through:

• White base with yellow box checks

• Haldi (turmeric) natural dye

• Lightweight, multifunctional drape clothing, towel, shawl, and identity marker

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Simple yet deeply expressive, the Futa Gamcha embodies utility, cultural value, and everyday dignity.

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