Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: The Opulence of Banarasi Silks

The Opulence of Banarasi Silks
banarasi

The Opulence of Banarasi Silks

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery type="nivo" interval="3" images="5227,5226,5223" onclick="link_image" custom_links_target="_self" img_size="650x350"][vc_column_text]
 
Banaras in the North of India, known as a holy city of temples, where, by the taking of a dip in the Ganges river, Hindus believe one gets closer to salvation. One also gets to see a grand offering – the Banarasi saree.
Banarasi silk sarees | weavers of banaras | banarasi brocade fabric saris | handlooms of varnasiIn an awesome display of grandeur, the Banarasi saree has always been exclusive and captivating. Notwithstanding a flurry of traditional silks in different pockets across the country, the Banarasi Saree has always held out on its own as a unique fabric of traditional excellence.
Finely woven and with rich brocades in gold or silver zari that includes fine designs and engravings, the relatively heavy and opulent affair is part of every bride’s trousseau and a must-have finery fabric for weddings and exclusive occasions in many Indian homes.
The speciality of the Banarasi sari lies in its use of zari or rich gold and silver coloured thread work on motifs and brocades. The Banarasi silk sarees | weavers of banaras | banarasi brocade fabric saris | handlooms of varnasiinfluence of Mughal designs is evident from the awesome floral and leafy motifs known as ‘kalga’ and ‘bel’ and outer border designs of upright leaves known as ‘Jhallar’.
In addition the heavy gold work on the brocades, the compact weaving of the base fabric, the small detailing, metallic visual effects, the mesh pattern and the intricate embroidery work are all contributive towards making the Banarasi saree, a rich traditional offering and a national pride.
 
The Banarasi saree also acquires a royal feel from the brocades that share a part of this heirloom fabric. In earlier times the brocade was adorned by precious and semi-precious stones, but today they have been replaced by sequins and beading to give that exquisite look, unless it is a customized order for the real thing from the super-rich.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type="image_grid" interval="3" images="5232,5233,5234,5235,5238,5236,5237,5239,5231" onclick="custom_link" custom_links_target="_blank" img_size="245x325" custom_links="http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,http://www.unnatisilks.com/sarees-online/by-popular-variety-name-sarees/banarasi-silk-sarees.html,"][vc_column_text]The brocade is woven on a draw loom through a special technique involving the weaving of a supplementary weft that is not part of the main weave of warp and weft. The idea is to make it seem that the pattern which comes from the supplementary weft is actually woven within the main weave and is part of it.   This ornamental addition or brocading is through the special arrangement known as ‘jacquard’ which had revolutionized pattern making on fabrics since its introduction.
Taking anywhere from a fortnight to a month the Banarasi saree is completed in all its fineness and opulence that has created a Banarasi silk sarees | weavers of banaras | banarasi brocade fabric saris | handlooms of varnasiniche market for this fabric and commands a price from a few thousands to a lakh and beyond based on the exquisiteness of designs, the intricacies within the weave and the fine adornments that accompany the sari.
A royal weave since Mughal times, it has developed into a major cottage industry that has close to twelve lakh workers involved in different facets in the making of the ‘Banarasi’ saree. The Geographical Indication label strengthened their cause by giving legal rights for the exclusive use of the name Banarasi for their offerings. This stemmed the rot created by the spurious goods trade and drastically improved the situation to cause exports to flourish once again.
Four to five centuries have passed and this tradition of fine weaving has neither dimmed nor lost lustre. In fact the Banarasi Silk Saree has continued to remain as exceptional and finely sought as before. Over the years there have been additions and introductions within the weave but never have they seemed out of place. That too despite being woven in traditional style, the fusion elements have seamlessly merged to become a part of its rich and dazzling heritage.
Banarasi silk sarees | weavers of banaras | banarasi brocade fabric saris | handlooms of varnasiThere are a lot of fusion varieties and combination of styles that has always kept the market interested.
You have the Banarasi Katan silk with a lot of Jamdhani work and attractive bootis that have always enthralled the market. There are the patola silks that are beautifully adorned with elegant mango bootis all over. The brocaded Banrasi Crepe silk has its own charm, while the Banarasi Tussar silks in Neon having a lot of patch work embroidery are more catchy. Then you have the Banarasi Organza silks that are covered with eye-filling bootis and rich borders in zari and the Georgette silks of Banaras that have enticing wide borders in different colours. and Unnati Silks has all of them.
Unnati Silks has till date an active association and constant interaction with master weavers of handloom hubs across India, the Banaras weavers included. A rich experience in fabrics like the Indian saree and salwar kameez for over three decades, providing the genuine Banarasi Silk and Cotton handloom sarees in wholesale and retail at attractive rates is therefore but routine for a reputed name like Unnati’s.[/vc_column_text][vc_teaser_grid grid_columns_count="4" grid_content="teaser" grid_layout="thumbnail_title" grid_link="link_post" grid_link_target="_blank" grid_template="carousel" grid_layout_mode="fitRows" orderby="rand" order="DESC" grid_posttypes="post" grid_teasers_count="8" grid_categories="Desi vogue" el_class="related-post-title" title="Love Indian Handlooms ? Explore More"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Read more

Know your craft - Sambalpuri Handlooms - From the Gifted Land of Odisha
desi vogue

Know your craft - Sambalpuri Handlooms - From the Gifted Land of Odisha

If you wish to flaunt your curves and portray your sense of style by allowing your drapes to speak, you should choose the ethnic weaves that have captured the market by storm and mesmerised the fas...

Read more
The Wonderful World of Pastel Colors
delicate colors

The Wonderful World of Pastel Colors

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]The Indian saree - large canvas to explore and exploit, offers maximum scope for delightful experiments in color.You could have a single color in the ...

Read more