Monday, September 9, 2013

Weaves of India - Exploring the Sari landscape of India!


Today, we are going to explore the textile heritage of India through a showcase of gorgeous weaves from across the country. Most online articles trace the origins of our textile traditions back to the Indus Valley civilization. Textiles were extensively traded much like our spices back then and today our rich textiles are immensely favored by world- designers! 

I am a fashion purist! A big believer of time-tested classic styles, if you will. Transient trends such as the net saris and sequined petticoats do not cut it for me.  And therefore, I am on a personal fashion mission to collect saris from all over India simply for the love of varied textures, fine weaves, striking hues and intricate motifs.
I have only begun and it  has already been a  fascinating exercise! I believe the sari is the greatest ode to our fabulous textile heritage and perhaps the longest fashion trend known to man! It is a forceful ideogram of my cultural identity and a resilient symbol of our sundry textile industry. So, dear Aalayam readers, sit back and take delight as I whisk you away on an aesthetic journey to discover the fabric landscape of India.

ILKAL:
 The lesser known Ilkal sari which originated in the Bagalkot region of North Karnataka features the unique Tope Teni weaving and the Kasuti (hand) embroidery (via wiki).  The distinctive red/maroon border on these saris adds a tribal flair and  makes the ilkal refreshing in its modesty and rustic appeal. The Ikal sari holds a dear place in my heart as this was the first sari that my husband bought for me many moons ago and exemplifies the loving bond we share.  Over the years, I have added two more exquisite Ilkals to my stock, handpicked by my mother-in-law.  And for this cherished association, the Ilkal is highlighted first on this list!

KANJEEVARAM:
     What can I say! Some of you probably remember that I did an entire post on the kanjeevaram sari  and here is an excerpt  "The kanjeevaram sari is a piece of art and I have remained a diehard Kanjeevaram loyalist till date. Every South Indian girl holds the Kanchi pattu close to her heart. After all, it is a part of her bridal trousseau! And for me, the kanjeevaram sari has been de rigueur at every other celebration as well! My fondness for the sari is well known!"
On a recent trip to India, I crumbled (miserably) under pressure - the pressure of having to walk away from breath takingly beautiful kanchi saris. I had resolved to buy just one since I was intent on buying other saris from across the country. But my resolve melted the minute I stood in front of a beautiful row of neatly stacked  opulent kanchi saris and eventually I walked out of the store with 4 gorgeous kanchis, a happy camper! Ageless in quality and timeless in style, the kanjeevaram silk  reigns supreme

KERALA KASAVU:

I don't know of any other sari  that can match the enduring elegance of the Kerala Kasavu. No, really! The tranquil ivory tone complimented by the luxe gold border of the kasavu sari has been a cultural trademark of the gorgeous women of Kerala from times immemorial and holds its appeal even today. If you are a sari aficionado, then your bank would be incomplete without the Kasavu.

MYSORE SILK:
The art of draping a sari is as interesting as the diverse textile heritage itself. If there is one sari that allows for a perfect drape then it is the Mysore Silk. I love the way it makes me feel!  Emanating from the land of the Maharajahs, the Mysore silk is indeed aristocratic in its appearance. Known for its texture and luster, the resplendent Mysore silk is a seemly tribute to legendary Mysore.  As you get ready to display your Jambu Savari for this year's Golu, why not celebrate in a traditional Mysore silk sari ? Displayed in the picture is another personal favorite - a gift that is a token of my pregnancy and a reminder of many treasured emotions!

PATOLA:

  Patola is a splendid example of hand-woven artistry. The weaver implements a double ikkat weave to turn  the Patola sari into an impressive piece of art replete with geometric designs and intense hues. Did you happen to catch the stills from Lakme fashion week this year.Designer Gaurang Shah's repertoire was jaw droppingly gorgeous. He worked with Patan patola as his medium and chose to don his show stopper kirron kher (yes, the ultimate sari diva herself) in a stunning Navrathan Patola.
I love the handwoven texture on mine- I think it makes the sari exotic!

BATIK:
Another sari, another dyeing technique! The Javanese wax-resistant dyeing technique or the Batik dye adds splashes of color and a boho-chic vibe to the Indian six yards. This bold Batik in complimentary colors is from my 8o year old grandmother's closet which is now a precious addition to my sari collection. Fashion trends are cyclical and so the Batik is back! I can always upcycle my grandmother's conventional sari with an edgy accessory for an updated look!

POCHAMPALLY:
So, what is the connection between a global design trend and a tiny village in Andhra Pradesh, India? A dyeing and weaving style known as Ikat. The pochampally sari is fashioned in the Ikat style and could very well be the Patola's twin. However, regional influences separate the two. This too belongs to my grandmother. This was my way of bringing a part of her here to my home. I regret that I never brought her here to visit us. She is frail now and cannot make a trans-atlantic trip. The saris will always serve as a reminder of my grandmom's simple yet impeccable sense of style that I am grateful to have inherited. Her tenacious spirit belies her frail health much like the Pochampally itself whose vibrant colors and striking patterns mask the signs of wear.

ZARDOSI:
If you are looking for an avant garde fashion statement then the zardosi embroidery is it! Sported by most Indian runway models and bollywood heroines, elaborate zardosi embroidery gives the sari an opulent up-do! Zardosi=haute couture! Zardosi work involves embroidering with metallic threads to add a generous dose of sparkle and we love that in our wedding and festive finery, don't we?

KANTHA:
Out next stop on the textile tour is Bengal. The intricate Kantha embroidery, a hot favorite world over, is from Bengal. Fashion for me is about being true to who you are.  I believe in details and nothing beats the sophisticated detailing of the kantha embroidery. A silk Kantha is subtle and classy and adds a refined elegance no matter what the occasion. I can see myself wearing a Kantha sari to a western gala, a soiree, a banquet or a cocktail hour!

TUSSAR SILK
A weaver somewhere in Bihar/ West Bengal weaves his magic into a Tussar silk and breathes life into it.  The tussar silk is magical! Light weight and linen like, the sari is an easy drape! I love the versatile utility of these saris. This hot pink Tussar silk paired with a geometric border and a contrast pallu was my absolute favorite. Subsequently, a serendipitous shopping find in the form of this elaborate silver necklace  became the perfect accessory that this Tussar silk demands! With this gorgeous outfit, I am ready to paint the town pink, don't you think?

BLOCK PRINT:

We featured a little spotlight piece on the art of block printing in a previous post and here is an excerpt "There is nothing more simple and sophisticated than block print fabrics. An ancient textile imprinting technique, block printing is done by artisans in rural India and these handmade fabrics are perfect inspite of their imperfections!" The delicate beauty of the symmetric block prints makes the sari a visually appealing piece of art. My persimmon and black sari was a thoughtful gift from my dear aunt who knew of my sari -mission. The block prints on this beautiful cotton sari paired with a causal embroidered fabric bag creates an eye-catching ethnic extravaganza!

BENARES:
And I am going to wrap up this edition of weaves of India with what I fondly refer to as the princess of silks (remember, the kanjeevaram  has already won the title of the Queen!) The stunning brocade from Varanasi, the Benares sari, is an exquisite production. A collector's item, if you will. So much goes into weaving the delicate gold and silk threads together to create this silken tapestry of unmatched beauty.  On a religious tour last year, my mom picked up this beautiful plum Benares with white silk threadwork for me. Maybe, someday, I could even convert this into some kind of a wall art?

Did you know? Many of India's saris have a GI right (Geographical Indication)- an intellectual property right, mapping them to the region of origin (source:wiki)

It was a great pleasure to do this feature on a topic so close to my heart -India's unparalleled textile heritage! I would be remiss if I did not thank my mom, grandmom, mother-in-law and aunts for enabling my indulgence!

Sanganeri, bomkai, tanchoi, chanderi, paithini, venkatgiri….so much more to talk about!
Cheers!
Deepa

All images are the copyrighted property of Aalayam. Credits: My husband!

36 comments:

  1. My friend Lakshmi emailed me after she read this post and here is what she wrote:

    "I envy your beautiful collection. It is refreshing to see your elegant saris that do not overwhelm. Perfectly chosen pieces to exemplify each weave/ craftsmanship. I can appreciate them more now that I've learnt the back story. The tips on accessories are definitely helpful. I would have loved some draping suggestions too.
    In the day and age when computer designed saris abound you have invested time and money in authentic handcrafted works of art. Way to go Deepa!"

    and ofcourse, my friends don't let me off easy :) she added that "it ran a little too long and discuss abt each shot - some other time "

    ReplyDelete
  2. dear Lakshmi: this post was done with an audience like you in mind. A connoiseur of fine things that you are, i knew you would totally dig this! Thank you for reading!
    draping suggestions - again, classic styles are my fall back!

    thanks also for keeping me grounded! i had already emailed supriya that this post was way too long. however, my passion got the better of me - i wanted the reader to be able to compare and contrast and did not have the heart to chop it into a 2 part post - and i had (!) to include anecdotal accounts in the narration- so, pardon the length.

    discuss each shot? you mean the ideas behind the composition ? :) i pinged lakshmi because i was running out of ideas and she ofcourse indulged me! thanks again!
    ~deepa

    ReplyDelete
  3. An absolutely wonderful collection of textiles !!! After reading this post, there's a new found love for the saris that I've been hoarding for so long.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. and that's how I was, took all my gorgeous sarees for granted and then in an aha moment realized that I had some precious things in my closet and i just didnt know how to appreciate them :)and soon that developed into a love for for fine craftmanship.
      Thanks for reading!

      ~deepa

      Delete
  4. Such a beautiful collection..and the post is great justice to the culture and art behind these beautiful weaves! Made me feel very proud of our rich and colorful contributions to the world :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you kumu! Vow, i feel humbled, the artistry behind these textiles is much greater than what I can capture through my words and this is only a modest attempt to draw attention to our gorgeous fabrics and I am glad it makes you proud of our heritage! Same pinch ;)

      ~deepa

      Delete
  5. Beautiful post, pictures !! Love your blog. Thanks for visiting mine and leaving a comment otherwise I would not have found this lovely Indian treasure box!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Purnima: Thanks for stopping by, I think we are right next to each other in the indiblogger rank order (for whatever that's worth!) and that's how I stumbled on to your lovely blog! I am glad you like what you see. Come back, a home tour is up next.

      ~deepa

      Delete
  6. Beautiful collection and photos. The block print looks like kalamkari. Uppada, Mangalagiri pattu also adds great addition to your collection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haritha: Thank you for leaving us a comment. Kalamkari sarees are absolutely beautiful too -i am still looking for a perfect kalamkari saree :)
      Uppada and mangalgiri are on my list too, not in my closet yet :)

      Cheers!
      Deepa

      Delete
  7. A refreshing post. There are many saree lovers amongst us but rarely do we take the time to appreciate the weave/texture and details. Loved how each saree has found the right accessory/prop :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. div: this is also why growing older is fun - things that you once took for granted, you now have an appreciation for!
      i had the most fun, shooting for this post as you can imagine :)
      thanks for reading!

      ~deepa

      Delete
  8. This post makes me very happy, you know. Why don't you do some more, maybe focusing entirely on muslins and cottons in one, on silks in another? And crepes, nets, laces and georgettes should also get their due. Maybe the different kinds of sari embroidery? I can keep on asking, so I will stop right here!

    A weave that's got a bad reputation right now, being Mamata Banerjee's saree of choice, is the Dhanekhali. I've loved them since my teens because they are supremely comfortable and look very relaxed, unlike the stiff tangails and the delicate dhakais. They usually come in stripes, with the occasional temple border, no zari, and don't need falls or edges stitched. In fact, many women wear them at home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh sue! I first have to revisit darling ole Calcutta and take you on a shopping expedition.
      I knew about jamdani - are the dhanekali, tangails and dhakais - variants of the jamdani weaves ? will add to my list!
      see, this is why i love the blog - learn something new, everyday!
      ~deepa

      Delete
  9. Your post was awesome and the collection superb.Am a Saree lover myself.truly enjoyed the post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. more power to our tribe! -sari lovers, i mean! it's a fascinating hobby!
      thanks for reading sangitha - i am sure being a sari lover - you can appreciate what goes into each of these weaves.
      thank you.

      ~deepa

      Delete
  10. I bet I have bought most of the kind you displayed here hardly knowing its history or its cultural story behind it , thank you so much for the post now atleast I know the answer if someone questions me about the saree I wear :) , you have added more beautiful collection to your closet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sure you have Sahana - that's just it, these aren't fancy designer runway sarees , they are easily available and yet there is so much to them! I had a blast looking through my grandmother's closet. To discover a treasure trove right at home was so much fun!
      thanks for commenting.

      ~deepa

      Delete
  11. ..and I want that benaras saree which I am so much in love. This is making to go to India again and shop for some saree ..:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awesome! What a nice collection of design sarees. Those Sarees took my breath away!!!! Thanks for sharing your photos.

    online gifts to india

    birthday gifts to india

    ReplyDelete
  13. Generally I do not understand material on weblogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to examine out and do it!
    Birthday Gifts to India

    ReplyDelete
  14. ohh, nice representation Indian Sarees with there culture aspect.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is a lovely post. Exquisite saris and beautiful words!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Replies
    1. disha - which image in particular and where do you want to use it? We would like you to credit Aalayam and link back to this post if you are using it on the www.

      thanks for checking.

      ~deepa

      Delete
  17. Nice Collection. Saree Is a Indian Traditional Wear.
    Women's Look Stunning When Wear Traditional Indian Sarees.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi
    I really want to know how to decide if its a patola or pochampally
    I know instinctively but feel should know the technical features so can explain why i think its a pochampally

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nowadays it's easy to find Indian Ethnic Wear Online at best offer price. Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Nice Photos. I like the way you have portrayed the silk sarees collection.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blog is very informative and gracefully. Your guideline is very good. Thank you Indian Fabrics | Mood Fabrics

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nice collection of sarees .. i like bollywood replica sarees as they got inspired by bollywood celebrities

    ReplyDelete
  23. Batik printed sarees showcase enchanting patterns in the form of contrasts formed between dyed and undyed areas by covering the parts of the saree with wax and then dyeing the saree which upon drying is removed. At Shatika, we have an exclusive range of Batik print Sarees Online.
    batik sarees

    ReplyDelete
  24. Really very informative article about sarees designs. Thanks for sharing!!
    shop sarees online in india

    ReplyDelete
  25. In a world that embraces fast-paced fashion trends, the handloom Tussar silk saree stands as a symbol of timeless grace, craftsmanship, and cultural richness. Every woman can embrace the legacy of Tussar silk, weaving her dreams into reality and celebrating her unique style through these exquisite sarees. Buy Pure Tussar Silk Sarees Online to get the most unique colors.

    ReplyDelete