Matka silk
A silk cloth with a rough, nubby, slightly uneven surface, woven from yarn made from short silk fibres left over from reeling.
Also: matka, matka cloth
Matka silk is woven from yarns spun from silk waste, such as the short fibres left after reeling, and from noil. These yarns are uneven, with small lumps and thin places, so the cloth has a rough, slubby look, a dry feel and a soft matte glow. It looks a little like cotton or dupion and is lighter and cooler than smooth silk. Matka cloth is made in several handloom centres and in mills, and is used for sarees, kurtas and furnishing. It is generally cheaper than reeled silk, and its irregularity is part of its look.