Saree is one of the most beautiful and classic dresses in the entire collection of traditional dresses of India. Saree usually is made up of a cloth of length ranging from five yards to nine yards which is worn on the body in different styles. Saree is unique because of the diversity in its fabric, colors and weaving pattern.Each region has its own unique style of wearing sarees influenced by the local culture, weather conditions, craftsmanship, and materials available. You will be able to find sarees for any occasion you can think of, ranging from light cotton to richly embroidered silk sarees.Many traditional sarees are the work of generations of craftsmen and carry the stories of the regional culture.
Banarasi, Kanjeevaram and Chanderi Sarees:-
The Banarasi sarees are one of the best-known sarees of India. This saree is usually made in Varanasi and features rich silks, motifs and zari work. The patterns are floral, paisleys, Mughal designs and so on. These sarees are mostly worn during weddings and other festivities.
Kanjeevaram sarees are manufactured in the state of Tamil Nadu (town of Kanchipuram). These sarees are traditionally made from high-quality silk and feature bright colors, gold zari and contrasting designs. These sarees form a significant part of the South Indian marriages.
For centuries, the Chanderi sarees of Madhya Pradesh have been much appreciated for its light weight texture, softness and elegant look. These sarees may be either silk or cotton or a combination of both these fabrics.
Tant, Jamdani and Paithani Sarees
The Tant saree is one of the most popular traditional sarees originating from the state of West Bengal. Made out of cotton, the Tant saree is light weight, airy and comfortable. It is mostly worn in hot weather and on a daily basis. The Tant saree is characterized by vibrant border designs and plain weave motifs.
Jamdani saree is another example of saree which has a close relationship to the history of weaving in Bengal. Characterized by delicate motifs, Jamdani saree is traditionally created using complex weaving techniques. Floral and geometrical patterns are very common for Jamdani sarees.
Paithani saree comes from Maharashtra. It has colorful borders, and there is a unique pallu design of Peacock or floral patterns in the saree. As it is made of silk material, making the Paithani saree needs a lot of expertise and patience.
There are various other types of sarees that exist in India, such as the Muga silk sarees of Assam, the Patola sarees of Gujarat, the Sambalpuri sarees of Odisha and Kasavu sarees of Kerala. All these sarees are made using unique fabric and have different weaving techniques and motifs.
Patola sarees are famous for their elaborate designs and dyeing. Sambalpuri sarees have gained recognition due to their traditional designs along with the use of the technique of Ikat. Kasavu sarees of Kerala are popular amongst Indian sarees owing to their plain white/cream body and golden borders. Baluchari (Bishnupur, West Bengal) Baluchari sarees are made at Bishnupur using silk, and what is distinct about these sarees is the use of the large, intricate pictorial representation of incidents from Hindu mythology — such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana — in the form of the pallu through extra weft weaving.
Diversity of Indian sarees is a sign of rich history of Indian fabrics. Each saree can reveal many stories in the form of the materials used, the colors, patterns and craftsmanship. Even now, there are various sarees that serve as inspiration to modern designers.
Written by: Neha Ghoshal
Textile & Fashion Industry Contributor
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