HERITAGE SILK OF INDIA- THE KANCHIPURAM SILK SAREE
The first thing we remember when someone says silk saree is Kanchipuram. Every woman will at least have one Kanchipuram silk saree. Kanchipuram silk sarees are the gems created by the master weavers in the town Kanchipuram which is also known as silk city. They are the most sought-after silk sarees. The history of Kanchipuram is traced back to the times of God, as per legends the weavers settled in the town of Kanchipuram about 400 years back and are the descendants of Sage Markanda, the master weaver of God. This town is also known as the temple city and was ruled by many famous Kings of Indian history. The Devangas and the Saligars of Andhra Pradesh are the two major communities that migrated to Kanchipuram town and they are known for their weaving silks.
THE ENDURING CHARM OF KANCHIPURAM WEAVES
Kanchipuram also called Kanjivaram sarees, Kanchi Pattu Saree or Kanjeevaram Saree is traditionally woven silk that originated in the village of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Kanchipuram silk sarees have dominated the world of south Indian saree for years now. They are every south Indian Brides dream drape like a bride is incomplete without Kanchipuram silk sarees. The gleam and durability of the fabric are what everyone admires it for. They speak Indian heritage effortlessly. The zari threads used in the saree decorating must have at least 57% silver and 0.6% gold in them for them to be classified as Kanchipuram Saree Silk. The cost of the Pure Kanchipuram silk sarees mostly depends on the usage of zari, the intricacy of the work, patterns and motifs. Another best part of owning luxurious beautiful sarees is that even after 5 – 10 years of its usage you can resell them and get a new one.
A brief history of the introduction of Kanchipuram Silk
During the reign of the Chanakya dynasty Kanchipuram was ruled by the then King and initiated the silk trade and during the Krishna-Deva Raya reign, weaving communities from Andhra Pradesh migrated to Kanchipuram and thus migration of the entire silk industry occurred. Kanchipuram Silk has created the main occupation for many in the town. Over the decades Kanchipuram has evolved in terms of design and pattern but not its charm. Kanchipuram silk sarees are exclusively known for their rich gold borders, traditional designs, and dense fabric in contrasting colours.
Essential Raw materials needed:
- Mulberry Silk: Silk extracted from domesticated silkworms that feed on mulberry tree leaves. The mulberry silk thread is finer, smoother, and of lighter colour.
- Zari: A pure silver thread coated in gold colour is zari that is used in the weaving of silk sarees. They add a rich finish to the sarees.
- Dye Colours: These are the coloured powders that are used to dye the silk yarns. The colour powders are mixed in hot water and then the silk yarns are dipped into it to get the dye.
- Starch: A rice starch natively called as Kanji, the excess water after the rice is cooked. The starch adds stiffness to the yarns, it is used before weaving and after weaving the saree.
Weaving Characteristics
Kanjivaram silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk thread and this comes from south India itself, but the sari used in the saree comes from the North of India, Gujarat. Kanjeevaram Sarees are considered as one of the finest hand-woven crafts around the world. It is a labour-intensive process, that uses three shuttles to weave this kind. While the main weaver works on the right side and his aide works on the left. 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 colour 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 comprise 57 per cent silver and 0.6 per cent gold.
Inspirations to the Designs of Kanchipuram Pattu Sarees
The motifs showcased on the traditional silk sarees are not merely decorative patterns, but beyond that, which holds 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. Pages of cardboard stencils keeps moving above the weaving loom to trace out the designs. These designs are first-hand-drawn if required computer also. A cutting machine is used for cutting the design into a cardboard sheet that acts as a stencil on the weaving loom. Some of the Kanchipuram silks saree exhibit paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, episodes of Mahabharata and Ramayana weaved into saree. Usually, the pallu of the saree is decorated with intricate drawings of flowers, temples and traditional patterns.
With the change in trend, a lot of contemporary art also is expressed in the Kanjivaram sarees, like, the images of the bride and groom are convoluted on the saree on an order base. There are a variety of Pure Kanchipuram silk sarees like simple border, wedding pattu sarees, temple border, floral Kanchipuram Silk, traditional Kanchipuram pattu and modern Kanjivaram pattu saree. The vivid colour usage in the weaving adorned with timeless motifs makes them a beautiful way to flaunt. Recently, the weavers have gone creative with their weaving style by amalgamating two different kinds of crafts into one to bring uniqueness to the saree, like, the ikat body with kanchi pattu borders, Kanchi pattu body with Bandhani border, hand-painted silk body with kanchi ipattu border and so on to keep up with the changing trend and taste of the people.
How to take care:
- Do not keep/ leave them in cardboard boxes or plastic bags
- Wrap them in muslin or any cotton cloth loosely
- Don’t place a stack of sarees on top of Kanchipuram sarees
- Air the Kanchipuram silk sarees by opening them every once in 3-6 months
- Professional dry-cleaning is advisable, mostly
- Go for roller ironing for wrinkle-free.
How do you find if the Kanchipuram Silk Saree is a real deal?
Although many tests would confirm the purity of the silk, an easy way to identify is to simply draw some silk threads from the saree edges and burn them a little at the end, you’ll find a ball of ash and if that smells like a burnt hair or leather then you have nothing to worry. But if that is not authentic you will not be able to find any ash left. The texture of the Kanjivaram silk would also tell you if the silk is real or not. It is always safe and the best way to buy Kanchipuram silk sarees from the stores that provide you with silk marks as the Silk Board of India has issued this mark to pure silk saree in Kanchipuram only.
Samyakk is a proud retailer of Kanchipuram silk sarees with a close and loyal association with the weavers of Kanchipuram to provide authentic Kanchipuram silk sarees to its customers. Be it festivals, auspicious celebrations or weddings, Samyakk avails you of Kanchipuram silk sarees in every range from traditional Kanchi pattu to modern art Kanchipuram silk sarees. We have from simple festive wear to wedding wear Kanchipuram silk sarees online. With Samyakk exclusive Kanchipuram silk online collections, feel the authentic vibes of culture and traditions by embracing the six-yard to your celebrations. Samyakk handpicked Pure Kanchipuram silk sarees are carefully curated ones that exude elegance and purity. The Kanjivaram silk saree sold at the Samyakk store are all silk certified marked sarees. Enjoy a seamless shopping experience with on-time COD within Indian and secure and safe payment options for locations worldwide.
