Ramraj Cotton brings santhali weave to contemporary dhotis

Ramraj Cotton has launched Panchaa, a new handwoven dhoti collection inspired by the traditional Santhali weave of Mayurbhanj in Odisha, reviving a tribal textile tradition while creating fresh livelihood opportunities for women weavers.
Traditionally woven as sarees by women of the Santhali tribal community, the distinctive weave has gradually faded over the years due to declining patronage, changing lifestyles and limited market opportunities. Reimagining the heritage weave as a dhoti, Ramraj Cotton has introduced Panchaa while preserving its authentic craftsmanship.
Each Panchaa dhoti is handwoven in 100 per cent cotton with an off-white base and coloured using azo-free dyes. The collection combines a plain weave with an extra-weft technique, reflecting the generations-old weaving skills of the Santhali artisans.
K.R. Nagarajan, Founder and Chairman of Ramraj Cotton, said India’s handloom heritage is exceptionally diverse, but many traditional weaving practices remain confined to the communities that created them. He said Panchaa aims to provide wider recognition to the Santhali weave without compromising its authenticity while strengthening the livelihoods of the women weavers who have preserved the craft for generations.
The Panchaa collection is available from August 7 at select Ramraj Cotton exclusive stores and through the company’s online platform.
Founded in 1983 in Tiruppur, Ramraj Cotton has grown into one of India’s leading traditional apparel brands, offering dhotis, shirts, kurtas, towels, wedding collections, pure silk collections, sarees, kurtis, formal wear, innerwear and accessories for men, women and children. The company has also undertaken several initiatives to revive and promote India’s lesser-known handloom and weaving traditions, with Panchaa being its latest initiative.