saree – Indian Ethnic Fashion and Traditional Wear

November 8, 2019

The Cultural Connections of Bandhani Sarees

Sarees have been a part of the Indian culture and a staple in the women’s closet since time immemorial. With time innumerable saree trend has seen the ebb and flow. However, there are only a few kinds of saree that have remained close to women’s hearts since its emergence. Among those saree falls, the Bandhani saree has remained close to the hearts of women since its emergence.

Bandhani saree emerged in Gujrat, and soon the technique was adopted by Rajasthani people to make bandhani sarees. However, there is a significant difference between the two. While the Gujrati sarees are known as Bandhani sarees. Rajasthani sarees made from tie and dye techniques are better known as leheriyas.

The roots of bandhani go back about five thousand years in history — a time when human beings were learning new skills to make their lives easier. Bandhani sarees are beautiful that are made using the tie and dye technique. To create a bandhani saree, first, a plain cloth is taken, and then it is tied in spots using a special technique. The artisans keep special importance that all the spots on the saree are tied in an equal way. So, that one pattern does not differ from another pattern or is not bigger than the other.

The Making of bandhani Sarees

After the tying is done, the sare is dipped into a tub of color for dying. The artisans keep the saree immersed for a while so that all parts are colored. After a certain duration, the saree is taken ut of tum and dried in the sun. Once the saree is completely dry, the artisans open the ties to reveal a beautiful dye that reaches the fabric.

If you think that all bandhani saree are dual-chromed, then you are in for a surprise. When women were kind of bored with white bandhani prints, the market saw a demand for colorful prints. Hence, the artisans got into the practice of coloring the fabric first, then trying the knots before they immerse the saree in the dye again.

With these techniques, the artisans achieved a saree that has a colored pattern instead of plain white. They then started to experiment with the dying pattern. Today, a bandhani saree can be as many as three times dyed and tied before being folded and sent into the market again. Bandhani is a handloom saree. It takes special skill and time to make one of these. It takes the artisans weeks to make a bandhani saree. Hence it is priced a bit higher.

Several Designs of Bandhani Sarees

When bandhani sarees originated, it was a plain ensemble with a beautiful pattern. However, women in India, especially in Gujrat, wanted to give a more traditional look and feel. Hence today, you will get bandhani saree with mirror works on them. It essentially reflects the Gujrati and Rajasthani culture. Also, in many states, women love weavings of zari on the bandhani saree. So, the zari border and pallu are not an uncommon variant.

Colors of Bandhani Sarees

India is the land of colors. We believe in unity in diversity. Hence there is no lack of colors in the gamut of the bandhani sarees. However, if we have to count the most favorite colors that women love wearing daily? Best reflects the Indian culture, then it will have to be fuchsia, red, yellow, and green — however, other colors like blue, purple and maroon are there too. However, Indian women consider the black color inauspicious. Even though a black bandhani saree looks terrific, but women do not prefer to wear it to auspicious occasions like marriages.

September 5, 2019

On What Occasions Sarees are Offered to The Hindu Goddess?

In India each of the festival and puja has got deepest level of meaning attached to it. Though there are various festivals in India but people love worshiping goddess on prominent days or to do auspicious beginnings. Every state of India has a different unique way to worship goddess and seek blessings.

Oti Bharane

As per the traditional rituals of India whenever there is prayers done to the goddess a right kind of fresh vegetarian food should be prepared and in clothes called “Vastra” should be offered to the goddess.

According to the traditions the offering of saree ritual is also called as Oti Bharana. The offering is usually done to awaken spiritually and seek blessings. Before any kind of good start too sarees are offered. Generally when it comes to offering the sarees to the Goddess the material that has to be chosen should be soft and you can select it from cotton or silk. When we talk about the customary rituals of Oti Bharana only married female have officially right do the rituals. You might have seen that the blouse piece is offered in a triangle shape. The triangle shape represents three deities that have created the world. As part of customary rituals even coconut with the saree too is offered.

Generally people love to offer nine yard sarees to the goddess because to denote respect to the nine avatars of the goddess. The nine yard sarees are also offered to seek inner strength from the goddess.

Durga Puja of 10 Days Also called as Bhagabati Puja:- In the celebration of 10 days the idols are beautifully decorated and the goddess new sarees are being decked up before their immersion in water. This beautiful festival is also celebrated the inner strength of women and victory of good over evil. In order to decorate the idols you will see that often dark colors are being chosen and the idols of Goddess Durga are beautifully decked up with jewelry. As a part of humble gesture even many women gift each other sarees. Bengalis celebrate this festival.

Basant Panchami:- Basically this is the festival dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati basically this festival is celebrated before the arrival of spring. In this festival the first chance of offering prayers is given to newly married couples. The sarees are offered to the goddess and as a part of paying homage many women also get decked up in yellow sarees. As Goddess Saraswati is associated with the arts, the newer siblings or young children are thought to write as a part of ritual.

Jagratas:- Basically they are being done for celebrating special moments or occasions. In this ritual all night long there is aarti, shlokas and Bhajans of goddess. To give that special tribute bright red colored sarees are being offered to the Sherawali goddess.

When it comes to celebrations of festivals or gala events you would see a vast unity among people. Till date many traditions are preserved and very well followed. The divine blessings of goddess and affection are tremendous thus it makes worth to show our great tribute and respect to the goddess.

August 6, 2019

The Luminescence of Banarasi Silk: Types, Fabrics, Designs and Matching Blouses

The saree derives its name from the oldest city in the world-‘Banaras’, located on the banks of the River Ganges. This city was formed in the 11th century BC in the Northern State of Uttar Pradesh, India. This type of sarees is one of the finest in India and is traditionally made only in the land of Banaras. Though this type of sarees has emerged hundreds of years ago, still the top-class designers in Bollywood incorporates this style in their bridal collections to bring to enhance the glam factor.

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The Origin of Banarasi Sarees

The Banarasi sarees came into existence during the Mughal era. It was during that time that various craftsmen chose the city of Banaras to give vent to their creative flair and started weaving Banarasi sarees. The blending of various motifs such as Kalka, bel, jhallar, floral, and foliate is a characteristic feature of the Banarasi sarees. Weaving a Banarasi saree is a work that takes much labor. It takes between fifteen days to a month to weave one saree. Sometimes, it takes up to six months of time to create a single piece of saree.

Fabrics of Banarasi Sarees

You have often heard ‘banarasi silk.’ But it might interest you that banarasi sarees are available in other fabrics too. In this article, we will discuss the fabrics of banarasi sarees.

1. Katan (Pure Silk)

These days, the banarasi sarees made of Katan or pure silk are made of using a loom. But previously, they were hand woven. The plain fabric of Katan forms an excellent base for weaving Banarasi design, given the inherent luster of the fabric.

2. Shattir

This is the choice of contemporary designers for Banarasi. It is the fabric for modern banarasi sarees.

3. Kora

Kora is yet another fabric that is widely used for weaving Banarasi sarees. It is not as pricy as pure silks and has a textured look. The golden and silver Zari threads indeed look fabulous on Kora fabrics.

4. Georgette

Georgette is a light and flowy fabric that is made from threads of silk. Real georgette is highly priced, and it made a very good canvas for weaving Banarasi fabrics.

Designs of Banarasi Sarees

Banarasi sarees are also classified based on the designs that are woven on them.

a. Jangla

Jangla is a kind of vegetation, and this motif is one of the oldest ones and has a classic look to it. The jangla banarasi sarees look regal as they are embellished with heavy weaving of the zari threads that run across the entire length of the saree.

b. Tanchoi

The Tanchoi style characterizes heavy weaving of paisleys in a labyrinth. These sarees are inordinately beautiful and are often worn by women to weddings.

c. Cutwork

These sarees are made by using cutwork techniques on the sarees. These sarees are not as expensive as other variants on this list. This kind of saree is basically a lesser version of Jamdani with Zari works with motifs like jasmine, marigold, creepers, etc.

d. Bootadar

This is by far the most popularly preferred motifs by women. Threads of rich gold and silver frequent this type of sarees throughout the rich and dense weavings. The common motifs that are used on the buttadar sarees are Latiffa Butti, Angoor Bail, Resham Butti, Jhumar Butti, Baluchar butti among various other popular motifs that are loved and revered by women across India.

Blouses to Pair with Banarasi Sarees

A saree without a good-looking blouse is incomplete. Here are a few types of Blouses that look great with banarasi sarees.

Embroidered Blouse
Full Sleeve Silk Blouse
Sleeveless Blouse with Boat Neck
Elbow Length Blouse with Matching Border

July 11, 2019

Must Have in Wardrobe are Ultra Classy Traditional Sarees!

A woman’s wardrobe is her prized possession and her saree collection needs to always be on point. We understand how the various cultures and styles present in one single country can make you confused with endless choices which are why we have made a list of must-have sarees from across the country belonging to different cultures:

mirraw-silk-sarees

Taant Saree- West Bengal

In many parts of India these sarees are worn as a daily outfit. The saree is typically found in red border and white base and is also worn on special occasions in the community. The simple yet elegant saree is a must have in your saree collection.

bengali-sarees

Settu Saree- Kerala

Settu Saree is also commonly known as Kadavu saree and is highly popular across the country for its evergreen style. Trends may come and go but the white saree with golden border remains to be a classic favourite for every event. In a traditional Kerala saree the threads are woven of real gold. To keep up with the times, the saree can be found in various colours as well.

kerala-kasavu-saree

Bomkai Saree- Odisha

Risch is traditional art work, the bomkai or Sonepuri saree is designed with ikat embroidery and intricate thread work. The sarees are comfortable to carry and can be found in silk and cotton fabric.

odisha-sarees

Paithani Saree- Maharashtra

Pride of all the women of Maharashtra is the Paithani saree. The saree is found in silk fabric and is full of fine motifs. The specialty is its recurrent peacock design on the pallu. The saree is complete with its golden border and is available is vibrant colour combinations. paithani-saree

Kanjirvaram Saree- Tamil Nadu

Every woman dreams of owning a beautiful Kanjeevaram saree and we aren’t surprised why! The saree is traditionally woven in silk in Kanjeevaram itself. These are known for its elegance and grace. The fine border work is sure to make you fall in love with this piece of nine-yards.

kanchipuram-silk-sarees

Bandani Saree- Gujarat

A bandani saree has a beautiful meaning for its name which a very few people know. Bandani, the word is derived from ‘bandhan’ which means ties. This refers to the process of making the saree through the tie and dye method. The saree is commonly found as a regular wear item in Gujarat as well as Rajasthan.

bandhani-saree

Banarasi saree- Varanasi

A banarasi saree can be spotted every now and then on a red carpet worn by a celebrity. The saree’s beauty lies in its gold and silver zari designs and motifs. Originally a symbol for royalty, the banarasi saree was made only in real gold and silver threads. It would take almost a year or more to finish these finely weaved sarees. Now of course we can find varieties depending on one’s budget.

banarasi-sarees

Chanderi Saree- Madhya Pradesh

With the combination of silk, zari and cotton, Madhya Pradesh has mastered the art of creating a fabric lighter than even a feather. The saree is perfect for youngsters or fussy saree-wearers as the saree is easy to pull off and the royal sheen looks gorgeous just the way it is.

chanderi-sarees