Ka-Tylliat is a most important weaving tool used by the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya, India. It forms part of the rich heritage in textiles and indigenous techniques of the tribe, perfected and passed down from generation to generation.The two rods are cylindrical and horizontally inserted through perforations in vertical slabs. This apparatus forms a stable structure while weaving. One end of each rod is twisted, and the other one pointed, possibly for easier insertion and structural balance. These slabs are fixed upon a flat rectangular wooden platform as the base. One of the sides has a square hole on the platform, which is indicative of its use in adjustment or attachment of other elements with it during weaving.
This is most of the time used for the making of traditional Khasi fabrics like dhara (the women's wrap-around dresses) and the traditional shawls usually woven from local cotton or eri silk. It shows the creativity of Khasi artisans, who do a wonderful job with implementing simple but efficient systems for the production of textiles.Such traditional tools are found today mostly in museums like the Indian Museum, Kolkata, and preserved from the perspective of cultural heritage and craftsmanship. The weaving traditions of the Khasi tribe, for instance, are well rooted in their culture and are intensely contributing to new inspiration across modern artisans and researchers.