Ahimsa Silk - A New Circulating Trend Among The People

Trendy Ahimsa Silk Saree

"Ahimsa" which means Non-violence is so called because the silk yarn is manufactured in a process where the silkworms are not killed to obtain the yarn. So it is called as peace silk. Ahimsa silk is spun after the silkworm has completely transformed and emerged from the cocoon.

There are different types of silkworms, but Bombyx mori is mainly used for cultivation. The silkworms are placed in bamboo baskets and are fed mulberry leaves. When they feed on the leaves, the insects give out fluids through their head glands. This fluid is called as fibroin (raw silk) and sericin (bonding gum). The substance later hardens upon mixing up with air, forming the fundamental silk thread, which is a blend of two fibres, jointly held by the gum. The silkworm oozes out the fibroin continuously for about 1,000 yards, forming an oval case or cocoon. But the worm will still be alive inside the cocooon.

In the process of producing regular silk, the cocoons are submerged in boiling hot water to kill the worms and spool the silk yarn. In ahimsa silk cocoons are left untouched for seven to ten days. Once the worms are fully matured, they are allowed to pierce the cocoons and flutter away as moths. Only after this the manufacture of peace silk begins. Each cocoon is checked separately to make sure that the moth has escaped before the silk thread is spun. Spinning approximately takes two to three months and weaving another month. Ahimsa silk is to some extent less shiny; it has a soft feel and texture.