Table of ContentMemoirKanjeevaram from Tamil NaduBanarasi from VaranasiNauvari from MaharashtraBandhani from Gujarat & RajasthanTaant & Baluchari from West BengalChikankari from LucknowBomkai Saree from OdishaChanderi from Madhya PradeshKasavu from KeralaMuga from AssamPhulkari From PunjabTussar from BiharWhy is an Indian Saree so Unique?Finale
Table of Content
Memoir
Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu
Banarasi from Varanasi
Nauvari from Maharashtra
Bandhani from Gujarat & Rajasthan
Taant & Baluchari from West Bengal
Chikankari from Lucknow
Bomkai Saree from Odisha
Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh
Kasavu from Kerala
Muga from Assam
Phulkari From Punjab
Tussar from Bihar
Why is an Indian Saree so Unique?
Finale
The word “saree” is believed to be derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “strip of cloth”.
Saree, symbolic of femininity, is probably the world’s only erstwhile, unstitched attire extensively and affectionately enjoyed in India and other Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal & Myanmar. Wearing a saree is an Indian tradition and culture for many ages. Womenfolk used to drape sarees since the Indus valley civilization. Since then it has undergone a lot of adaptation in designs, colors, fabrics, and styles of draping.
Traditionally saris were worn without blouses and most of the drapes had no petticoat. Modern style of draping sarees originated during the Mughal era. During earlier days, the six-yard cloth was worn in a single sheath, without pleats. An illustrious woman from Bengal taught the society to drape a saree with pleats.
The modern urban style of wearing the sari is to drape around the waist a few times, pleated and tucked into the waistband of a petticoat with the loose end of the fabric, called the pallu, going across the torso and draped elegantly over the left shoulder. It is worn with a matched, fitted blouse.
It is the most versatile costume which is conventional as well as fashionable. This is the attire for rituals, festivals, and trendy activities. Six to nine meters in length, the saree is seen everywhere- on the streets of rural and urban India. A sari to sleep in, a sari for household chores, a sari to wear to the bazaar, and a sari to wear to weddings. Sported by women from all walks of life, it incarnates grace and enduring elegance, giving a sense of belonging.
The Indian sarees show the rich diversity of dyeing, printing, and weaving:
Effervescent colors, royal borders, and rich silk give Kanjeevaram Saree a lavish aura. Both Banarasi and Kanjivaram are two of the finest silk sarees in India, which are popular globally as well. Their popularity has no bounds as people from all over the world crave such a print to be added to their wardrobe. Kanjivaram Sarees: The Nine-Yard Beauties.
Handloom Pure Silk Kanjivaram Sari from Tamil Nadu with Wide Brocaded Border
Made in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the Banarasi silk saree is a rich, classic which you just cannot miss whether you're including them in your bridal trousseau or wearing it on your big day. Originally, the Banarasi saree was crafted only for royalty and woven with real threads of gold and silver. In modern times, many variations of the Banarsi make up some of the best sarees in India.
The famous brocades from the ancient city of Banaras, with Mughal-inspired intricate intertwining floral and foliate motifs, kalga, and jhallar of upright leaves at the border a peculiarity of these sarees. Depending on the sophistication of its designs and patterns, a saree can take from 20 days to a month or even much more to complete.
Banarasi Silk Brocaded Sari with Woven Tree All-over
To this day a Banarasi sari is a prized possession in a woman’s trousseau as it can be worn for years and even passed down to younger generations. Amongst the different types of sarees from different regions, the Banarsi saree is one of the most popular ones renowned for its patterns and motifs. Banarasi sarees have been preferred due to their elegance and opulence.
The basic difference between Kanjivaram and Banarasi sarees is that while in a Kanjivaram saree golden thread is used for weaving designs, Banarasi sarees have intricate gold and silver work on them using zari.
The name originates from the length of the saree which is nine yards long. The Nauvari Saree is a symbol of valor as the draping style originated from Maratha women warriors wearing the saree in a dhoti style enabling them to ride horses and fight with effortless movements.
Famous tie and dye Bandhani printed saree, elegant and attractive. Bandhani Saree: The Most Celebrated Traditional Attire Of India.
Bandhani Sari from Rajasthan with Zari Weave on Border And All-Over
This red and white saree from Bengal is embodied with elegance. “The Baluchari saris incorporate designs based on mythological stories from the great Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The saree is an essential in every Bengali woman’s wardrobe. Taant is woven from a very breathable material making it wearable in humid weather.
Black-Beauty Baluchari Handloom Sari from Bengal with Hand-woven Courtly Apsaras and Ramayana Episodes on Pallu
This traditional Indian saree had zari work with the pallu being heavily designed but in modern days, hand-printed Taant sarees are much in the craze. This is a favorite during Durga Pujo, Diwali, and other festive occasions.
Lichen Tant Pure Handloom Cotton Saree With Floral Butti All Over And Deer Motif On The Border
With heavy embroidery in soothing colors, these sarees can be worn on any day, time, and occasion.
Sari from Lucknow with Chikan Embroidery by Hand
From Odisha comes a different type of Saree – the name of sarees in India is hand-loomed Bomkai. This Sambalpuri saree is famous for the tie-dye art reflected in its intricate weaves, known as “ikkat”. The threads are tie-dyed first and then woven into a fabric. The patterns are deeply rooted in the culture of the state.
The Bomkai Saree can be woven in cotton which is used for daily wear but the silk Bomkai Sarees are rich and festive.
Lark Bomkai Handloom Sari from Orissa with Woven Strips and Box Design
The silk and zari are woven with cotton making the fabric light as air. The luxurious feel of the saree makes it apt for festivities and celebrations.
Autumn-Sunset Chanderi Silk Saree With Buttis
From Kerala comes a radiant and refined Indian Traditional Saree – the Kasavu.
Kasavu was originally a dhoti, blouse, and a stole that was draped across it but has modernized to the latest fancy saree. The white saree fashioning golden borders sometimes threaded with real gold is stunning.
Banana-Crepe Mural Hand Painted Kathakali Kasavu Saree With Gold Zari Border From Kerala
With a natural goldish tint, the saree is a spectacle. This coveted saree is a go-to attire for weddings and other auspicious occasions. One of the costliest silks, Muga’s shine improves with every wash making it timeless. With the pure zari work, the sarees are embellished even more. The golden classic Muga saree is a special one.
White-Swan Muga Silk Handloom Sari from Banaras with Temple Border and Heavy Woven Pallu
Phulkari is the folk embroidery of Punjab in beautiful patterns. Phulkari sarees come in florals, motifs, and even geometrical shapes. Phulkari designs are extremely attractive owing to the vibrant colored cloth that is used.
Rasberry-Sorbet Sari from Amritsar with Phulkari Embroidery
Sarees are very soft and valued for their rich texture and natural deep gold color.
Reed-Yellow Tussar Silk Sanskrit Sari from Jharkhand
An outfit worth the recognition and praise it gathers, the Indian saree has held captive many hearts over the years, gradually becoming one of the most beloved, versatile attire displayed by women everywhere in terms of the following:
A woman’s most loving hobby is going for sari shopping with friends or relatives. They are fascinated by the endless shelves piled with neatly folded, colorful and attractive saris, entertained and mesmerized by the salesmen unfolding and draping the whole sari on themselves, skilled by bargaining over the prices while consuming numerous cups of coffee or tea.
A beautiful sari is a living, breathing, and enduring piece of art. It holds in its folds the history of an entire subcontinent, the skill of its craftsmen, and the memories of the women who lovingly cared for it for the next generation.
However, purchasing a traditional Indian saree would require a lot of care and maintenance in terms of washing, ironing, and storing in the closet. Possibly this may be the reason, these days, in urban cities even most housewives are fancying for salwar-suits over sarees.
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