Old world charm & royal grandeur: OBEETEE collaborates with Raghavendra Rathore, launches couture floor coverings

OBEETEE, one of the leading manufacturers of hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs in India, has collaborated with designer Raghavendra Rathore for the launch of its third ‘Proud to Be Indian’ (PTBI) series.

PTBI is a unique concept that showcases high-end boutique pieces, put together by India’s leading fashion designers. The initiative was led by OBEETEE’s design team and supported by India’s leading couturiers.

OBEETEE’s vision to introduce the incredible Indian craft to the rest of the world will see the coming together of India’s leading designers to display royal couture floor coverings that have never been woven before. While Rathore is designing the third edition, the previous two were conceptualised by Tarun Tahiliani and Abraham & Thakore respectively.


Talking about the concept, Rudra Chatterjee, chairman, OBEETEE, said, “These regular collaborations with Indian designers help us explore fresh palettes as well as set trends that are grounded in contemporary design sensibilities yet are true to the Indian ethos, which is what OBEETEE stands for. It’s like holding up a canvas of historical influences and rich textile wisdom that is so intrinsic to India, yet all laid out with a healthy nod to modern techniques and structures.”

For OBEETEE’s PTBI collection, Rathore has dived deeper into the royal grandeur that epitomises Rajasthan, spending nearly five years working on the designs. He said, “The collection epitomises old-world luxury and has the essence of a bygone era. The Marwar region, specifically Jodhpur, is the core inspiration for all ideas and vision behind the look and feel of these carpets. We have experimented heavily with paisleys, asymmetrical designs and unusual patterns to create unique design sensibilities taking references from the past.”

Rathore’s collection offers three variants — The ‘Durbar Gaadi Masand’, rendered with opulent embroidery in velvet, derives inspiration from the textured royal sette used by kings and queens in darbars of yore. The artwork in ‘Rajasthan Architecture’, on the other hand, is inspired from the majestic arches and structural design elements — including mirror work and brightly painted religious figures — of the Sheesh Mahal in Mehrangarh Fort. The third variant, ‘Coat of Arms’, is an offbeat showcase of logos, emblems, insignias and monograms of Rajput princely states and jagirs.

OBEETEE is one of the largest handmade rug makers in India and one of the oldest hand-woven rug companies in the world. Its quality and reputation have earned the interest of many famous and notable people.

For more details visit, OBEETEE Flagship Store, Sultanpur Metro Station, New Delhi – 110030; Call on 07888713940 or visit http://www.obeetee.com