Panika

Also known as Panka and Panikar, the Panikas is a community of Hindu weavers based in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. A socially and economically backward community, they are known to be Kabirpanthis and even Shakta worshippers. Their sole means of sustenance is the Pata, a thick cloth made of handspun cotton. However, over the decades they have also developed a unique weave that combines cotton and silk. They use only natural dyes, usually made from the roots of the aal tree (Indian mulberry) in shades that range from deep reds to dark browns.

Their designs are influenced by the tribal customs of the Odisha–Chhattisgarh region.