Jet-Black Handloom Pure Silk Kanjivaram Sari from Tamil Nadu with Multicolor Wide Checkered Border

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Sprouting from the thick golden line that runs parallel to the body of the sari is the motif of “Malli Moggu” or the Jasmine bud- an integral part of auspicious rituals in the Southern region of India. From the hair ornament of the bride to the floral offering to the god, the fragrant Jasmine flowers spread their pleasing aroma. This balance of the traditional motifs of Kanjeevaram on this contemporary silk wear is an example of the adaptability of Indian ethnic women’s wear while preserving the links with the rich past.

With the beauty of Mother Nature and stunning ancient Indian architectural motifs woven together with gold Zari threads and vibrant silk, a Kanjeevaram Sari will always live up to your expectations if you wish to feel queenly and womanly in your traditional Indian women’s wear. Much like most of the other silk ethnic Indian fashion, Kanjeevaram saris are the go-to choices for a bride-to-be or a newlywed young lady. The fame earned by Kanjeevaram is due to a long and detailed process that involves choosing suitable silk yarns, dying them in natural colors, drying them in the sun, and stretching them on a bamboo wood frame to avoid any tangling. The detailed border and pallu decorated with a mingling of silk and Zari threads are crafted separately from the body of a traditional Kanjeevaram sari. A master weaver upon the completion of the three sections stitches them together using a technique of interlinking which is locally called- “pethi”. Handwoven to bring you the goodness of pure silk and glistening golden Zari work, a Kanjeevaram sari has to be your next pick from the treasure chest of traditional Indian fashion.

Handwoven Elegance: The Journey of a Kanjivaram Saree

Kanjivaram sarees are one of the most sought-after sarees among Indian women. They have not only gained popularity in India but across the globe in recent years/decades and are thus in high demand even in the international fashion world. Made of the finest quality silk, bearing intricate designs, and having vibrant colors, Kanjivaram sarees have undoubtedly made their way to the hearts of most women. The origin of these sarees is believed to date back to the 7th century during the reign of the Chola dynasty. Kanjivaram silk sarees originate from the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. These sarees stand out among other sarees because of the use of vivid colors and the natural glossy shine of pure silk. Women prefer to drape a Kanjivaram, especially on special occasions such as weddings and festivals to look flawless and elegant. The most common motifs found on these sarees are peacocks, leaves, flowers, paisleys, Kalash, etc. The characteristic feature of Kanjivaram silk sarees is the rich Zari work on fine silk fabric. This makes them a popular choice among women of all age groups.

Let us look at the steps involved in the making of a Kanjivaram silk saree:

1. Finest quality silk yarn is processed and dyed

Each Kanjivaram saree is made purely with high-quality silk and thus the first step in the making process of the saree is to find the best silk and process it. The silk yarn is first washed and soaked in rice water and then dried in the sun. This step is necessary to make the yarn strong and stiff to maintain the durability of the fabric. It is then dyed in rich hues by hand and again sun-dried.

2. Silk yarn is woven with the Zari

Now the colored threads are intertwined with silver thread and these resultant threads are interlocked with golden thread. The Zari threads (gold and silver) are produced from real silver and gold and are sourced from Gujarat.

3. The process of weaving begins

Before weaving, the Zari threads and colored threads are sorted to avoid any tangles and individual strands are put to the weaving loom from one end to the other. Now the warp ends are drawn and joined to the previous warp on the loom. The desired design is fabricated or woven onto the fabric manually. This technique has been passed down from one generation of skilled weavers to the next.

4. The saree is given a finishing

Now that the saree has been woven and the desired design has been obtained, it is sent for giving it a finished look. Any extra threads are cut and removed to make the saree ready to be sent to retail shops and markets for sale purposes.

The whole process of crafting a Kanjivaram silk saree may sound or appear easy, but the amount of time and effort that it requires is unimaginable. Depending on the intricacy of the design, it may take several weeks or months to complete one Kanjivaram. Although the cost of the saree is expensive (due to the use of real gold and silver) and not many people can afford to buy it, it has managed to be a part of beautiful family treasures that are passed down through generations as a token of love and affection.