Chartokkal

Chartokkal is a traditional geometric motif used in textiles, ceramics, and mural art of the fictional culture of Niram. The pattern is defined by a tessellated lattice of interlocking polygons, often hexagons and stars, arranged in repeating bands with high-contrast color combinations. The name derives from the Niram language, where chartokkal translates roughly as woven lattice.

Historically, chartokkal appears in artifacts dated to the medieval period in central Niram and spread to neighboring regions through trade and migration. Techniques for producing chartokkal designs include weaving, embroidery, block printing, and later ceramic glazing; the motif is commonly used as a border or central field element.

Symbolically, chartokkal is associated with connectivity, balance, and continuity, with color choices conveying regional meanings, such as blue for water and gold for harvest. Variants differ in the complexity of tessellation and in the emphasis on linear versus radial forms.

In modern times, chartokkal has been adapted in fashion, interior design, and graphic art to evoke traditional heritage. Designers may reproduce the motif digitally or as hand-loomed textiles, sometimes combining it with contemporary palettes or geometric simplifications.