The Bawan Buti textile tradition of Bihar iscraft deeply rooted in the spiritual heritage of Nalanda and popularized by 2023 Padma Shri awardee Kapil Dev Prasad.
Centred in Baswan Bigha (Nalanda), this craft is woven on pit or frame looms. Its name, "Bawan Buti," refers to the 52 distinct design motifs meticulously woven into fabrics like sarees and bedsheets using an extra shuttle for the bana (weft). As Nalanda is the land of Lord Buddha, the art frequently depicts sacred symbols, including the Mahabodhi Temple, Nalanda University, and various stupas, effectively narrating the history of Buddhism through thread.
This specific masterpiece portrays Lord Buddha seated before the Bodhi Tree and the Mahabodhi Temple. The execution is so precise that the woven symbolic motifs possess the fine detail of a painting.Under the leadership of weavers like Kapil Dev Prasad, Bawan Buti has evolved from a local tradition into an internationally recognized craft, preserved at institutions like the Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan to ensure its cultural continuity.
