India is a land full of heritage and rich textile traditions consisting of various regional classifications of people. Every state has its own culture and unique skills, providing a vast and diversified spread of cultural knowledge and upliftment.
There were a variety of factors that influenced the significance of textile and cultural heritage back in the time, Mughal era, British Raj, post-independence era, as well as the emerging contemporary trends are some of the leading justifications for that. Through all of it, Indian heritage is rooted deep in the beliefs and values of our ethnic legacy.
The textile of India consists of a variety of materials that are derived from natural and synthetic fabrics like cotton, silk, and wool jute, which are then weaved and sewed into graceful pieces of clothing. Apart from that, a variety of crafts and skills like hand embroidery, dyeing, chikankari, etc, are still practiced and appreciated in several parts of the country.
As far as the cultural significance is concerned traditional Indian sarees have been around for the longest time. It has been loved and Worned by women for centuries making it the token of divine Indian feminism.
A saree is a versatile piece of clothing that has undergone several variations while passing through several regions of India. Whether it be a Banarasi saree from Uttar Pradesh, Bandhani from Gujrat, Nauvari from Maharashtra, and most importantly Kasavu saree from Kerala.
The distinct golden border generally made out of pure gold or copper thread is known as Kasavu which is further used to make Kasuvu mundu and Kerala’s Kasavu saree is distinguished by its simplicity and elegance in the country full of hues and vibrance.
Kasavu saree’s beauty lies under minimalism and uniqueness which makes it different from the rest of the sarees. This vintage crafted legacy is worn by the Malayali community based in Kerala, majorly Kuthampully which is located in the heart of Kerala.
The weaving process of the Kerala saree is a time-consuming and detailed process that incorporates several steps. The traditional weaving process of kasavu saree is often passed down through generations of skilled artisans, known as Salagara Weavers who have been practicing the art form for years.
☛ Cotton yarn made from Salem and Zari threads are sourced from Surat, which are soaked in kanji liquid, and then placed on the beam, fixed to the loom. Zari thread is fixed firmly along with previous threads and waxed thoroughly for a better grip.
☛ After the cotton yard and zari thread are fixed on the beam, the weaving process is carried forward by a controlled mechanism by the Jacquards. Kasavu saree is carefully spread with the help of chalk powder and gum.
☛ As per the desired print and pattern, the printing paste is made accordingly and spread through the screen and then to the saree to make it more beautiful.
Far beyond the visual beauty, the Kasavu saree also signifies the depiction of art by including motifs and intricate designs. These motifs and designs have been seen carrying generational narratives.
👉 Temple patterns : Many of these sarees are seen as having intricate Kerala temple carvings that represent the beauty of the architecture. These motifs not only showcase their respect for the temples but also ensure the generational passing of knowledge and culture through the saree.
👉 Bond with the Nature : People in Kerala are extremely passionate about nature and protect it in every way possible. Kasavu saree includes components of nature like birds, flowers, animals, etc. that empower and encourage the spirit of nature preservation.
Kerala sarees can be draped in various ways depending on the occasion and style preference. Because Kasavu saree is such a minimalistic saree, it creates an endless amount of possibilities for draping styles.
Mundum Neriyathum is a traditional draping style from Kerala in which the mundu is anciently wrapped around the waist and then the Neriyathum is worn over the blouse diagonally on the left shoulder. Pairing a Kerala saree with traditional jewelry like temple jewelry, jhumkas, bangles, and a traditional updo will accentuate the whole look and make it cohesive.
An Endless Custom:
☛ A blouse is always a statement piece when it comes to any kind of saree, Opt for a contrasting blouse color or something that matches the border of the saree. There are several blouse designs for Kasavu saree that you can go through and you can also experiment with the style of a blouse like a sleeve length, and neckline design for a modern touch.
☛ You can also layer your gold saree with a contrasting cover up on top like a jacket or a shrug to add a fusion twist to your already existing saree.
There can be seen a steady growth in the rise of fusion wear with the help of the Kasavu saree, women have started incorporating the traditional simplicity of a gold saree along with contemporary clothing which allows the beauty of a classic saree to flow through a modern wave.
The increase in popularity of the Kasavu saree has led to a huge market for endless variations of the same saree, so in that situation, it is hard to find an authentic Kasavu saree.
☛ Carefully ensure that you buy it from a trusted seller to ensure the high quality of the saree.
☛ When buying a Kasavu saree online, pay attention to the fabric of the saree. A normal cotton saree can be a great option for daily wear, but a silk or blended silk saree is more appropriate for festivals and occasions.
☛ Kasavu saree comes in a huge range of prices, that solely depend on the quality of the material and the designing of the end product. Explore online retailers as well as reputed stores to find something good in your suitable budget.
☛ The key to preserving any kind of clothing is proper care to ensure longer wear, but a gold saree is not just a piece of clothing so in that case it is extremely important to have a proper care routine for your saree to preserve its beauty for generations.
☛ You can do that by hand-washing your cotton Kasavu saree and dry-cleaning your silk Kasavu, after which you can starch the saree with the help of corn starch or rice starch and at last store it properly in a clean saree cover.
Conclusion :
Kasavu saree is an iconic and classic piece of clothing that captures the rich history and essence of Indian culture. generations of women have admired this attire for its combination of regional representation and sophistication.
The story it tells and the beauty it holds showcases upon the people who wear it, and that is what makes the Kasavu saree extra special. Wearing a Kasavu saree daily or on special occasions will be a symbolic representation of Indian culture, feminism, and grace. Its history will always be intertwined with Indian history and its simplicity will never fade.
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