Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck graced the opening of the “Hortha: The Supplementary Warp Pattern” exhibition at the Royal Textile Academy, today. The exhibition is the first of its kind and is part of the RTA’s annual exhibition. The Royal Textile Academy and the Textile Museum, and the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, are organising the event.
According to the Royal Textile Academy, Hortha weaving originated from Radhi in Trashigang using supplementary warp threads or hor.
Hortha clothing including Lungserma, Mentse Mathra, Aikapur, and Montha, are on display.
Supplementary warp threads are the additional warp threads beyond the main set of warp threads or pang that are vertical on a loom, to create specific design elements.
“Hortha is considered significant and is significantly different from others such as Kishuthara because it consists of alternating bands of plain weave or Pang and supplementary warp pattern on the plain weave ground which features five distinct colour schemes,” said Tandin Wangchuk, Assistant Collection Manager of Royal Textile Academy.
Through the exhibition, the organisers are hoping to let both national and international visitors know more about Hortha and its evolution.
The exhibition will be on display for a year.
Visitors will have to pay a minimal fee.
