Kanchipuram Silk Saree

Kanchipuram Silk Saree

Origin Of Name Kanchipuram Silk

Kanchipuram silk is made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu, India. Kanchipuram district was  recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005-06. As of 2008, an estimated 5,000 families were involved in sari production.

Weaving

Kanchipuram sarees are woven from the pure mulberry silk thread. The pure mulberry silk used in the making of Kanchipuram saris comes from South India and the zari comes from Gujarat.  Weaving of kanchipuram saris is done carefully using three shuttles. The main weaver works on the right side and his aide works on the left side shuttle.

kanchipuram-saree

The border color and design of sarees are usually quite different from the body. If the pallu (the hanging end of the sari) has to be woven in a different shade, it is first separately woven and then delicately joined to the Sari. 

The part where the body meets the pallu is often denoted by a zig zag line. In a genuine Kanchipuram Silk Sari, body and border are woven separately and then interlocked together. The joint is woven so strongly that even if the sarees tears, the border will not detach. This differentiates the kanchivaram silk sarees from the others.

Design

Kanchipuram saris have wide contrast borders, temple borders, checks, stripes and floral (buttas) are traditional designs are found on Kanchipuram sarees. The patterns and designs in the kanchipuram sarees were inspired with images and scriptures in South Indian temples or natural features like leaves, birds and animals. These are sarees with rich woven pallu showing paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Kanchipuram sarees vary widely in cost depending upon the intricacy of work, colors, pattern, material used like zari (gold thread) etc. The silk is also known for its quality and craftsmanship, which has helped earn its name.

Significance

Kanchipuram saris woven with heavy silk and gold cloth are considered to be special and are worn on occasions and festivities.

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