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Famously known as the queen of silk sarees, Kanjeevaram silk sarees originated from a village named ‘Kanchipuram’ in the southern part of India. It is currently in trend for the different motives used in weaving them by hand. The excellent craftsmanship is evident by the use of delicate golden threads, making it one of the most sacred handloom sarees in India. It is considered a sacred handloom saree and is generally worn by women during auspicious and special events.
This royal fabric has an excellent shine and durability making this saree extremely well-known as the most luxurious and classy fabric in traditional Indian clothing. India is one of the largest exporters of Kanjeevaram silk sarees around the globe, making it the Pride of India.
Silk is made primarily from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm “Bombyx mori” which are cultivated in captivity. The twinkling or shimmering look of silk is because of the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre, which makes the silk cloth divert light.
To understand the essence of the Kanjeevaram silk sarees, we should look into silk sarees in more detail and the history of this exquisite piece of clothing.
The Kanjeevaram silk sarees date back to Hindu Mythology. It is said that weavers of the Kanjeevaram silk saree were the descendants of Markanda, who were known for weaving clothes for Hindu Gods themselves. This beautiful piece has a history of more than 400 years. During the reign of Krishna Devaraya, of the Vijayanagara Empire, the art of weaving Kanjeevaram silk sarees took off. The two weaving communities, Devangas and Saligars, settled in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, all the way from Andhra Pradesh. Making use of their excellent weaving skills, they produced the sacred Kanjeevaram silk sarees by incorporating gorgeous designs of figures and structures they observed in temples around. Soon after, this mesmerizing fabric earned its popularity and admiration of the population and became one of the most liked items for saree-lovers.
One of the many reasons why Kanjeevaram silk sarees are unique is because the Pallu and the borders are weaved separately and then, eventually stitched together. The Pallu is generally of a different colour and design from the body. The Pitni is the zigzag design that joins the body of the saree to the Pallu. The Kanjeevaram silk saree is one of the most strong and durable fabrics and can be as heavy as two kilograms!
At Nirmal Creations, you will get a proper feel and understanding of how sacred and majestic these handlooms are. From the look to the essence of it, authentic Kanjeevaram silk sarees at Nirmal Creations are a must-have!
Kanjeevaram silk sarees, or also known as Kanchipuram silk sarees, are woven from pure mulberry silk. Although the pure gold and silver zari come from Gujarat, the silk fabric originates from southern India. The thread that is used in weaving is made of silk and is dipped in rice water and sun-dried beforehand to amplify the thickness and stiffness of the fabric. It is then intertwined with silver wire and woven through, after which, a golden thread completes the masterpiece process.
This magnificent fabric is woven in a warp frame that has 60 holes, in which there are 240 threads in the warp, and in the weft has 250 to 3000 threads, providing it with a sturdy feel. The pallu, body, and the border are generally woven separately and later interlocked and stitched together with extreme intricacy and neatness.
The Kanjeevaram silk sarees are well-known for the variety of vibrant designs that are inspired by figurines and art from various temples in this small village. It is very commonly expected that these sarees have contrasting shades of colours since the Pallu and body are stitched separately. Nirmal Creations is the one-stop place to get your dream Kanjeevara silk sarees. The different motifs and vibrant colours available will surely amplify your elegance.
Kanjeevaram silk sarees have recently been recognized as a Geographical Indication by the Indian Government since 2006, making it a symbol of authenticity and immensely boosting the sales of this auspicious piece of art. To help with the production of Kanjeevaram silk sarees, the region currently has 15 silk and cotton yard industries, 60 dyeing units, and about 5000 families are completely involved in the process of producing these sarees.
Kanchivaram, a Tamil film was made in 2008 focusing on the weavers, helping them express their problems and concerns in mainstream media. The Indian Government has recently implemented a policy to promote the e-commerce of such sacred and local handlooms. Approximately thirteen commerce entities have partnered with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) to promote handloom products from the weavers directly. This, therefore, means that you can directly buy your favourite Kanjeevaram silk sarees online from the weaver, which will help them make a decent profit for themselves.
The original Kanjeevaram silk sarees that are made of pure silk and incorporate pure silver and gold zari, can range anywhere between Rs. 7000 and Rs. 200000. To cut down on the cost, you can get versions of the same which are made of pure silk but imitation zari work, or half silk half synthetic with zari work, which is capable of holding the shine and lustre like the original piece, however, loses the durability and stiffness. Though these types of sarees are not considered as original Kanjeevaram silk sarees, they help in budgeted purchases with prices ranging from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000.
One of the most common and well-known signs of the Kanjeevaram silk saree is that the border and the body are in total contrast. Though you can still find cheaper options of the same in markets, they follow the same pattern rules but to cut down costs, use artificial zari work.
Another strong point of difference between an original and artificial Kanjeevaram silk saree is to pick out the loose dangling threads from the saree, burn them, collect the remaining ashes, and smell them. It will smell something like burnt leather or hair. If the saree was a fake Kanjeevaram silk saree, there will be no residual ash left after burning.
Another foolproof test to inspect the authenticity of the saree would be to look for the loose zari in the saree. Pure zari is produced of red silk thread, which is then interlocked with silver thread and dipped in gold. If you find the zari thread is white or any other colour, it is most likely a fake Kanjeevaram silk saree.
In the end, you can always look for the Silk Mark that is given to every pure Kanjeevaram silk saree.
The most preferred method of cleaning Kanjeevaram silk sarees is dry cleaning. If you don’t have any other choice than to wash it at home, refrain from using soap during the initial three washes, or a good cold rinse will perfectly do the job. It is also commonly suggested to store these sarees separately in a plastic wrap or saree bag to avoid any damages.
You can also visit Nirmal Creations to get a better idea and consultation on how you can store your precious Kanjeevaram silk sarees to make the most out of them!
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