'Dhagal' orange Varanasi silk brocade features butas of the Asiatic Cheetah sitting amidst a thicket of high grass and foliage, most possibly observing the world around him while being out of sight.

Blouse worn by the model is not included.

Natural variations in colours and weave are part of the textile, as it is handwoven.

ASIATIC CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)

The fastest land animal in the world, the cheetah thrives in open lands, small plains, semi-desert areas, and other open habitats where prey is available. The Asiatic cheetah has a buff- to light fawn-coloured fur coat with small black spots. Unlike in other big cats, the Asiatic cheetah’s claws are not retractable which offer increased traction while sprinting. Until the 20th century, the Asiatic cheetah was quite common and roamed all the way from Israel, the Arabian Peninsula to Iran, Afghanistan and India but were hunted into extinction during and after the Mughal Period, Rajput and Maratha Indian royalty and later by the British Raj. Since the Asiatic cheetah was extirpated from India in 1952, plans to reestablish the cheetah in India have been ongoing.