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A saree, which has been around for almost 5,000 years, was a simple drape used by Indian women. The saree is as ingrained in our culture as it has ever been, appearing on runways at major fashion shows, on the streets of rural and urban India, on college kids and their conservative grandmothers.
We are highlighting seven weaving traditions from around the country this season: Maheshwari, Kanchi, Banarasi, Bomkai, Jamdani, Chanderi, and Venkatagiri.
Maheshwari Saree
Since the 5th century, Maheshwar, a historic town on the banks of the Narmada, has been a prime center for handloom weaving. Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, who designed and woven the first Maheshwari saree, used Surat and Malwa weavers to make them. Popular motifs such as the chattai pattern and Chameli ka phool the eent have all been linked back to the details on the walls of Maheshwar Fort.
The eent (brick) and heera (diamond) motifs have remained popular throughout the growth of these sarees.
The Maheshwari saree was originally composed of pure silk in dark colours such as maroon, black, purple, and green. These sarees were eventually created in lighter colors and in both pure cotton and a blend of silk and cotton.
Click here to visit our latest Maheshwari Saree Collection
Chanderi Sarees
The Rig Veda and The Mahabharata are two ancient Sanskrit works that mention Chanderi silk sarees. The popularity of Chanderi silks grew during the Mughal Empire when queens were frequently seen wearing them in courts and at special events. Chanderi, a small village in Madhya Pradesh, is one of India's most well-known handloom destinations, dating back to the 11th century. Chanderi is a classic Indian fabric with a sheer texture, lightweight, and a beautiful drape. There's also black and white.
The motifs on Chanderi silk are individually woven on a handloom using distinct needles for each pattern. To add a festive touch, weavers cover these designs in gold, silver, and copper. Swans, gold coins, fruits, and heavenly bodies are among the natural motifs utilized in Chanderi weaving. Chanderi sarees' color range is dominated by gentle pastels, but with the passage of time, bright combinations of turquoise and navy blue, fuchsia and white have emerged.
Click here to visit our latest Chanderi Saree Collection
Banarasi
The origins of Banarasi silk can be traced back to India's rich cultural history. Each Banarasi saree was once woven particularly for royalty, using genuine gold and silver threads and taking up to a year to complete. Banarasi silk is an unrivaled example of the Mughals' superb creativity brought to India. The sarees are embellished with beautiful floral and foliate motifs reminiscent of the Mughals.
Normally, three weavers work on a Banarasi saree: one weaves the saree, the second manages the spinning ring in the bundle-making process, and the third assists with a border design. The heavy working of gold, small intricate figures, metal visual effects, and compact weaving are some of the unique aspects of Banarasi silk sarees. They are one of India's best traditional sarees, and due to their heavy weave work, they are great for celebrations, festivals, and weddings.
Click here to visit our latest Banarasi Saree Collection
Kanchipuram Saree
The origins of the Kanchipuram silk saree can be traced back to Hindu mythology. Kanchi weavers are descended from Sage Marakanda, regarded as the gods' master weaver. Early weavers went from Andhra Pradesh to Kanchipuram, where they transformed pictures of temple statues and figurines into motifs woven into the saree. Traditional Kanchipuram silk designs include temple borders, checks, stripes, and flowery (buttas).
The body and border of a classic mulberry silk saree are woven separately and then linked together. The border will not detach even if the saree tears because the junction is so robust. If a different shade of pallu is required, it is weaved separately and then gently connected to the saree, sometimes with a zig-zag pattern. Kanchipuram sarees made of heavy silk and gold cloth are considered extraordinary and are used for important occasions and holidays.
Click here to visit our latest Kanchipuram Saree Collection
Bomkai
In the 14th century, only the provincial royalty of Odisha and the renowned upper class and Brahmins of the region wore Bomkai Sarees. The usage of fish as a motif, which is seen to be a sign of success and affluence, and lovely thread work on the Pallu and border add to the saree's allure. These sarees are often red, black, and white in color and have a tribal touch.
The saree is now available in a variety of styles and colors while maintaining its authenticity. Silk sarees are worn for rituals and sacred events, while Bomkai cotton sarees are preferred for everyday wear. Even today, sketches of some of the intricate weaving patterns required to create a Bomkai saree can be found in Odisha's Khandagiri caves.
Click here to visit our latest Bomkai Saree Collection
Venkatagiri.
Venkatagiri Sarees, famed for their excellent weaving, date back to the early 1700s when they were patronized by the Nellore Velugoti Dynasty and made in an artisan cluster near Nellore. These sarees were once only woven for royal households, making them extremely unique. A large Jamdani design of a peacock, parrot, swan, mango, or leaf woven in the pallu is a distinguishing element of a Venkatagiri saree.
This was the chosen choice of royalty in Andhra Pradesh due to the excellent weaving and unique zari embellishments. Cotton thread was used in the beginning. Silk strands gradually found their way into these one-of-a-kind sarees. These are one of the softest and most durable south sarees in India, coming from the historic town of Venkatagiri in the state of Andhra Pradesh.