Sarees

Garchola is a traditional Hindu and Jain wedding saree, which used to be made of cotton, but is now usually in silk.

Gharchola sarees carry a gold thread for the checks with small golden motifs like a peocock or a lotus in the center. Lavish use of zari, thread enchances its beauty. These sarees are tied and dyed in Kutch. Though Kutchh has retained its traditional designs and colour schemes, other centres in Gujarat, mainly Jamnagar, are producing “modern versions” using unconventional colour schemes and fancy designs. The final red colour of the Gharchola sarees is traditionally dyed in Jamnagar because of the special quality of the water there. Rajkot in Saurastra is another important center for Gharchola sarees.

Traditional Panetar Sarees are especially designed in combination of white and red color for Gujrati people according to their religious aspects for their wedding. Sarees are amazingly created on silk, crepe, georgette base and embellished with sequins, stones, beads and new material work.

Panetar Saree is also made with gold zari work and are most often worn bridal wear. They have fine, hand woven exquisite zari work and stocks are always limited.

The Parsis are the followers of Zarathushtra and originally lived in Iran. When Islam spread to Iran, rather than accept conversions and the religious persecutions that followed, many Zoroastrians fled the country in 800 AD. Some landed on the western shores of India (in Gujarat) where they were allowed to practice their own religion and kept up their traditions. Here they mingled with the Indians, adapted their ways and culture and lived in harmony with the local population.

Kosa or Tussar silk sarees come from Chattisgarh (Originally Chattisgarh was a part of Madhya Pradesh).

Kosa silk is known for its comfort and popular in other countries. Bilaspur,Raigarh,champa of chattisgarh are known for kosa silk and its produce by Dewangan community.

The silk is valued for its texture which lends itself beautifully to printing and painting and is therefore increasingly used in designer boutiques to craft some of the most innovative motifs ever. The fabric is an ode to the imagination of the weavers, as each of the typical Fera and Jaala weave patterns seems to narrate its own special tale, with inspiration drawn from sources ranging from nature to mythological stories.

Bhagalpur is well known for its seri-culture, manufacture of silk yarn and weaving them into lovely products. It is known as the tussah or tusser silk.

Pat Sarees are another type of sarees produced only in Assam like Muga Sarees. Though, the traditional dress of Assam, the Mekhala Chaddar is made of Pat silk, nowadays, sarees are also woven for customers all over the world. The pat silk saree of Assam is famous for its regal appeal. The shining cream and white colour of this saree imparts an elevated feeling.

Muga sarees are woven in muga silk, which is available only in Assam throughout the world.

The pride of India, muga silk is known for its natural shimmering golden colour.

The most expensive of silks, muga is an integral part of the tradition and culture of Assam. This fabric is one of the world treasures of fine silk fabrics.

Colour: The body of the Muga silk saree have just one colour- a natural shimmery golden beige colour. The golden colour of this rare and exotic silk saree needs no dye to enhance its exquisite beauty. It has the natural quality of appearing almost like spun-gold.

Valkalam is from Andhra Pradesh. It’s a type of silk saree from AP.

Kothakota sarees from Andhra Pradesh are similar to the Gadwal sari. The pallus have rich ornate zari works and the borders are broad, their color contrasting with the color of the body of the Kothakota sari.

These saris from Andhra have extra gold thread in the weft and pallu, which is made of tissue. The specialty of the Annibuta sari is that the entire saree is woven with temple motifs. A traditional pit-loom is used to make these sarees.

It’s a traditional art form and can be mastered by continuous practice only to get perfect designs.