History of Kanchipuram Saree

 

Kanchipuram silk saree comes from South India, originated in a small town named Kanchipuram in
Tamil Nadu. It is a type of silk saree that is worn for special events by women in Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. These sarees are known for their craftsmanship as it takes a long time
to make a single saree. Most of these sarees usually have a contrasting Zari border. There are two
types of Zari, Pure & Tested Zari. Pure Zari is made of twisted red & silver threads dipped in gold to
form pure Zari. Tested Zari, also known as Half Fine Zari is electroplated with a gold solution to look
like pure Zari. Kanchipuram sarees are hand woven with pure mulberry silk threads. A pure
Kanchipuram saree will always feel soft when rubbed gently without any unevenness, fake
Kanchipuram saree will always be slightly coarser than genuine Kanchipuram. The Kanchipuram silk
sari was initially woven in a 9-yard weave, but more practical 6-yard weaves have been introduced
throughout time. The original gold and silver shavings have been replaced by metal or copper
shavings, maintaining the texture’s lustre while lowering expenses.

The history of Kanchipuram sarees can be traced back to Hindu mythology, it was said that silk
weavers were the descendants of Sage Markanda who were known as the master weavers of God
and many years later the descendants settled in the small town of Kanchipuram and continued to
weave silk like their ancestors. Years ago, these sarees used to be woven in temples.

The most special feature of Kanchipuram saree is that the border and the pallu are woven separately
and eventually stitched together. The pallu of the saree is usually very different from the colour of
the border as the borders are usually in a contrasting colour with woven Zari on them. The
Kanjeevaram fabric is considered one of the strongest and most durable fabrics to exist. The saree is
made of three silk threads twisted together with Zari, that is, silk threads dipped in liquid gold and
silver to make it durable. These sarees can weigh up to two kilograms in weight. Zari threads come
from Surat and mulberry silk comes from Karnataka. The small town of Kanchipuram does not
manufacture raw materials, silk or Zari that are used in the production of a silk saree. It is known as
the ‘Silk City’ as most of its population is dependent on the silk industry. Weavers from the
neighbouring cities are also involved in the production of these silk sarees. In India, silk production is
concentrated mainly in South India, Assam, and West Bengal to a certain extent. Kanchipuram is a
significant producer of silk in South India. These sarees vary in cost depending on the intricacy of the
work, pattern, colour and the Zari used (pure or tested Zari). In South India, the Kanchipuram Silk
Saree, also called Kanjivaram Saree, is frequently compared to the Banarasi Saree. Because of its
thick fabric and bright gold colours, this sari is suitable for formal gatherings and celebrations.
Kanjeevaram or Kanchipuram silk saris are the perfect choices if you’re seeking an elegant ethnic
alternative. Saree has become a must-have for women in traditional ceremonies, weddings, and
other events in South India.

In the older days, Kanchipuram sarees traditionally had designs representing simple gold lines or
gold dots. Keeping the changing trends in mind Kanchipuram silk sarees have transformed, even
Kanchipuram designer silk sarees are available now with embroidery or crystal work done on the
traditional silk saree. One of the latest trends in these sarees is using ancient paintings and images of
gods and goddesses in the pallu.

As mentioned earlier, these sarees are distinguished by their wide contrasting borders with woven
Zari work. Traditional designs like temple borders, checks, stripes & floral motifs are found. The
motifs and patterns found in these sarees are inspired by temples in South India, leaves, animals &
birds. Indian weavers are known for depicting classical motifs drawn from nature like the swan, the
lotus, the tree of life, the Vase of Plenty, the elephant, the lion, peacocks and others in their
handwoven textiles, which have been in existence for more than two thousand years. The

iconography of the Dravidian motifs was adapted from other regions and civilisations, but has been
customised for our cultural design aesthetic.
In order to safeguard the radiance of the Kanjeevaram silk sarees, the Indian Government has
recognized it as a Geographical Indication in 2006. You’ll find a Silk Mark on these Kanchipuram
sarees that indicates its authenticity. Silk Mark is a certification mark in India for silk textiles. The
mark certifies that the piece of textile which bears the mark is made of pure natural silk. The
certification is managed by the ‘Silk Mark Organisation of India’, a society set up by the state-
controlled Central Silk Board of India. These Kanchipuram sarees are the most expensive hand-
woven garments as it requires tremendous man power and weaving a saree by hand takes extensive
time. Approximately three craftsmen work on these stunning Kanjivaram silk saree at once and
complete it within 10-20 days. Furthermore, the duration might increase if the saree encompasses
more detailing and if there’s a lot of intricate work. Only skilled craftsmen can weave these sarees
but you cannot find a lot of experienced Kanchipuram craftsmen in the world, also you cannot find
many genuine manufacturers of these sarees in other parts of the world or even in India as most of
them are only based in Tamil Nadu. Also, the presence of pure silk and Zari make these sarees
expensive as these sarees are one of a kind. All of these factors combined make it a rare piece of
garment.
If you’re in search of your perfect saree check out our collection of Kanchipuram Sarees at Samyakk,
our wide range of Kanchipuram sarees will give you a plenty of options to choose from. From

festivals to weddings, these sarees can be a timeless piece in your wardrobe. Get yours today! 

INDULDGE INTO THE VALENTINE VIBRANCY - Sarees Online

 Let your style speak - Sarees

Girls, whether you’re having a romantic date or you’re spending time with your family, cousins or your

girlfriends, you should not just feel good but also look good. So, being just a few days away from Valentine’s

Day whether you have someone dear to your heart or not, make an effort to make your day memorable and

charming. Whether you are single, married, in a relationship or in the ‘It’s complicated’ stage – Whatever the

status you are at, you still got a reason to dress up.

A day to make yourself feel special with Designer Sarees

Recently while ethnics are ruling the hearts, western outfits have taken a back seat. Ethnic wears have

become equally popular with the western outfits today. Kurtis, tunics and contemporary outfits are the

fast-moving fashion lately. The timeless silhouettes are a given make over with relaxed fit, quirky print

and embellishments. If you are planning for a brunch or lunch and want to keep your look classy and

comfortable then cotton tunics with printed or embroidered details with statement sleeves will be a great

pick but if you are planning on a dinner date, georgette kameez with tonal pants or one-piece

contemporary outfits or anarkali dresses would be great options. These options bestow you with great style,

elegance and chicness.

Outfits with statement sleeves, asymmetrical hems or contemporary silhouette would be a great pick as they

would fetch a trendy and capturing look. Timeless hues like Off-White, Black, Red lends you with a classy

appeal while Nude tones give a dreamy and sensuous look and for a captivating appearance go with

colours like Blue, lavender, wine, plum makes you look striking. For a day plan, you can go with fabric like

cotton, silk or even georgettes as they ensure you with crisp and smart look and for an evening look choose

something that is fashioned from chantilly, net, organza or lace fabric or maybe even an element of outfit with

sheer details will do the trick.

House of styles - Samyakk- Pure Designer Sarees

Samyakk, an ethnic boutique, showcasing both women and men’s wear with prime quality and styles to enrich

your celebrations with elite glamour and grace. A place that pampers you with every kind of ethnic wears

with an array of varieties to choose. Be it a not-so-grand wedding celebration, festivals, traditional occasions,

big-fat weddings, cocktail parties, etc. Samyakk has them all for you. Anywhere across the globe,

Samyakk delivers on-time assured products to its customers with safe and secured payment options,

feasible to everyone.Silk Sarees Online

Bottom line is that Valentine’s Day is technically just a date to celebrate the feast of St. Valentine, but over

years it has become a tradition to show your love and appreciation to your loved ones. And there’s nothing

wrong in bumping up your style on this special occasion. Just keep in min­d to always choose comfort

over style, but you can also have both. Capture the crowd with your elegant styles.

Glorious History of Kanchipuram Silk Craft

 

The sight of the Kanchipuram silk saree always brings a delightful expression on a woman’s face. Kanchipuram sarees are a symbol of India’s culture and civilization. India is known for its handwoven textile heritage, and Kanchipuram silk is among them. Kanchipuram silk sarees are lauded for their intricate craftsmanship and finesse. Kanchivaram silk sarees are exclusively known for their rich gold borders, traditional designs, and dense fabric in contrasting colours. Every motif and design of the Kanchipuram silk saree narrates a story. Kanchipuram silk sarees have dominated the world of south Indian saree for years now. Indeed, they are the dream saree of every South Indian to-be-brides.

History & Evolution of Kanchipuram Silk / Kanjivaram Silk 

 

During the reign of the Chola dynasty in Kanchipuram, the king took the initiative in the silk trade. And during King Krishna Devaraya's rule, weaving communities of Andhra Pradesh, the Saligars and Devangas migrated to Kanchipuram town, and thus, the silk industry saw new growth. These two communities exclusively excelled at the weaving skill. Although, during the French invasion in the 17th century, the weaving industry had a hiccup and the operation was paused. Later, in the 18th century, the silk weaving industry was resumed and became the main occupation for many in the town. Today, Kanchipuram silks rank the most popular around the globe. 

 

Making of Kanchipuram Silk / Kanchi Pattu  

 

The silk is obtained from the sericulture of mulberry worms, i.e. silk extracted from domesticated silkworms that feed on mulberry tree leaves. The silk yarns extracted from such silkworms are usually fine, soft, and of a lighter tone. Then, the raw silk yarns are dipped into hot water and mixed with preferred colored powders to dye the silk. Once the dyed yarns are dried thoroughly, they are put into the rice starch natively called kanji (the excess water after the rice is cooked) before and after weaving the saree to add stiffness. As for the zari, pure silver threads coated with a gold color are used in the saree weaving to enrich the appeal of the saree. The zari thread consists of 57% silver and 0.6% gold. The body, border, and pallu of a Kanchipuram silk saree are woven separately and then interlocked together. It is interlocked in such a way the joining could not be identified from the front.

It takes about 10 to 15 days to weave a single silk saree, however, it may differ depending on the design intricacy done in the saree. The saree border color and design are usually different from the body. The saree border and pallu are usually weaved separately and then interlocked to the body so strongly that even if the saree tears the border will not detach. The zari comprises 57 percent silver and 0.6 percent gold.  

 

Design Inspiration

The motifs showcased on the sarees are not merely decorative patterns, but beyond that, which hold a strong aesthetic appeal and symbolic meaning. The designs manifested on the silk saree are temple carvings, checks, stripes, buttas, mythical creatures, birds, animals, flower leaves, etc. With the change in trend, a lot of contemporary art also is expressed on the saree, like, the images of the bride and groom are convoluted on the saree on an order base. There are a variety of Kanchipuram silk sarees like simple border, temple border, floral Kanchipuram, traditional Kanchipuram, and modern Kanchipuram.

It is always tricky to find authentic Kanchipuram silk sarees, as there are too many retailers and wholesalers in the market selling them. But not every store offers you authentic ones. So, you are suggested to buy Kanchipuram sarees from well-known stores. Samyakk, an ethnic wear retailer, showcases a varied range of handpicked authentic Kanchipuram silk saree collections for every occasion. The Kanchipuram silk saree at Samyakk are all silk-certified ones. Find the best Kanchipuram silk sarees for your special occasions at our retail store in Bangalore or at  www.samyakk.com.