Silk sarees have a captivating history in India, playing a vital role in reckoning the cultural heritage of this diverse nation. As we take a look at the rich antiquity of this luxurious garment the history of Indian textiles will surely unfold.
The reason for the admiration of the silk sarees is its adaptability. Silk is a naturally derived protein fabric that maintains its texture and has great absorbency. It is non slippery unlike synthetic fabrics and highly compatible with any yarn which makes it perfect for blending.
There are cotton silk blend sarees along with zari, which is a silk saree mixed with metallic yarn. Such stunning effects on silk sarees make it the most liked saree of all. Silk sarees are very much loved in India and adopted by various cultural groups.
Multiple weaving styles and techniques can be seen in several regions. The Mughals and Persians influenced the silk culture in India. A combination of cultural weaving and foreign techniques led to this unique art form. Every region has its native silk saree mostly hand-woven saree paired with cotton or zari.
☀ Kanjeevaram sarees also known as Kanchipuram sarees are a traditional form of saree originating from the town of Kanchipuram located in Tamil Nadu. These sarees are made with the purest mulberry along with gold and zari threads incorporated with it.
☀ Banarasi sarees originated in Varanasi several centuries ago. During the 14th century Mughal Era, Varanasi was a center for silk production. The zari work on Banarasi sarees has intricate designs including patterns and motifs of flowers, animals, and Mughal art.
☀ Paithani saree flourished in the Paithan town of Maharashtra. Paithani saree was found in the Satvahana Dynasty in ancient India. The vibrant contrasting color along with the luscious silk makes Paithani sarees highly cherished by the people of Maharashtra.
☀ Baluchari saree originated in Bengal, worn specifically on special occasions like weddings, rituals, and festivals. Its mention was found in the 18th-century mythological scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Indian silk sarees can be traced back a thousand years ago, Arthshastra in the 4th century BC mentions a guide about the silk weavers. The Archeological discoveries of the Indus Valley civilization suggest the wide use of silk.
Indus silks were obtained from the native silk species of silkworms. Sericulture in India has a huge widespread including thousands of villages. There are namely 4 types of natural silks found in India:
☀ Eri Silk : Eri silks are processed from open-ended cocoons domesticated silkworms from Assam. Silk from these silkworms is obtained without killing the worms which is why the Buddhist monks prefer it.
☀ Tasar Silk : primarily produced in the states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, etc. This silk is collected from the larvae of wild forest silkworms thus called ‘wild silk.
☀ Muga Silk : Muga silk is a specialty of Assam, it is one of the rarest silk in the whole world. It is extremely glossy and durable produced by the larva of Assamese silkworm.
It is one of the most expensive kinds of silk and is known for its unique qualities. Muga silk saree gets more and more glossy as it ages and said lives longer than the owner.
☀ Mulberry Silk : Mulberry silk is the highest quality silk as its silkworms are only fed on mulberry leaves. The regions around Mysore, Karnataka, and Ramnagar are best suited for the sericulture of mulberry silk.
The cacoons are yellow-white with long individual fibers making them durable and long-going.
The process of weaving pure silk sarees begins with selecting the finest silk threads to work with, the weaver sets up the warp, the weft, longitudinal threads, and horizontal threads to begin the foundation of the weaving process.
With each pass, the shutter weaves seamlessly to interlace the warp with the weft. By repeating it over and over again the motifs and patterns slowly start showing up.
The weaver keeps his eyes on the whole process to ensure that the patterns and designs are symmetrical and uniform. Once the weaving is complete the finished saree is trimmed to get rid of any loose threads and additional details such as detailed embroidery, embellishments with sequins, and beads are taken care of.
After that tedious process, a perfect silk saree is ready from the heart and soul of skilled artisans carefully created with intricate weaving skills passed down through generations.
Silk sarees are an emotion that has been worn by women for years, if they were just a usual garment then it wouldn't have been called yards of pure elegance. Indian women preserve their sarees which are close to their hearts to pass them down to the upcoming generations as a token of love and tradition.
There is a wide variety of traditional silk sarees that can be worn at different events to make any occasion extra glamorous. When it comes to an occasion like weddings Kanjivaram and Banarasi sarees top the list.
Both of these sarees are known for their Gold and zari work on intricately woven silk sarees. They come in various colors with broad borders and motifs that make them perfect for weddings.
For classic festivals cotton silk sarees would be a smart choice as they will provide the comfort of cotton and the elegance of silk. Their simplicity paired with the details and luxurious feel of silk has made them quite popular.
On events like parties and gatherings opt for Tussar silk as they have a charm of their own. These sarees are lightweight and perfect for any climatic condition, along with a gold hue that makes them look both classy and elegant.
☛ Ensure a gentle wash of this delicate fabric, and avoid scrunching and wrinkling the fabric while drying it.
☛ Gently squeeze the water out, dry the saree on a padded hanger, and do not keep it in direct sunlight as it will fade the colors of the saree.
☛ When storing your silk sarees, always make sure to cover them with a cotton cloth as it is a natural fiber that requires adequate airflow, and cotton being a breathable material helps it to do so.
☛ Cotton will also soak up the atmospheric moisture and prevent your designer silk sarees from getting damaged.
☛ Always keep the iron on a low setting while ironing your silks and always use a press cloth, never iron the saree directly on exposed heat.
☛ Keep it away from perfumes as your favorite perfume contains alcohol and other ingredients that might stain and damage your silk saree instead put on the perfume beforehand on your skin to enjoy your perfume without any compromises.
In Indian tradition, sarees embody rich culture and family values. Its timeless beauty evokes confidence and femininity while adapting to modern styles and trends. As we conclude our silk saree journey, the skilled artistry and craftsmanship, the intricate detailing, and seamless weaving combined make it a literal work of art.
Sericulture blended with the cultural significance of this country has played a vital role. It has provided socioeconomic growth to weaker sections of society which made India home to rare and exquisite skills in the world singes ages.
So, next time when you drape a silk saree take a moment to appreciate the artistry and time taken to make a saree that adorns your beauty every time you wear it.
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