Kanchipuram Weaving

Understanding Legacy of Kanchipuram Silk Saree

Kanchipuram Weaving silk saree is a marvelous creation of the craftsmen living in a small town, Kanchi (Kanchipuram) near Chennai within the southern Indian state of Tamilnadu. Kanchipuram saree remains a should-have in every south Indian female’s trousseau and cloth wardrobe. Given their price and their strength; Kanchipuram sarees are family heirlooms that could effortlessly last multiple generations if nicely looked after.

 

The Fabric and Information

The Width & Weight

The width of any normal saree, even a silk saree, is a general forty-five inches; however, the Kanchipuram saree is usually much broader and ticks around forty-eight inches. The specialty of Kanchipuram saree is that the silk yarn is a “double warp” that is, each “thread” is sincerely made of 3 single threads twisted collectively. Additionally, due to the natural mulberry silk used for those threads, Kanchipuram sarees are renowned for their texture, luster, sturdiness, and finish, creating a Kanchipuram saree a great deal stronger (and ultra-luxurious) than its counterparts from Arni, Dharmavaram, and so forth.

 

The Silk

Every Kanjivaram silk saree making from one of the world’s most superior silks. Handwoven from pure mulberry silk,  a single saree takes almost a week to finish. The silk yarn, after careful extraction, dyed in the richest of colors and weaved with the Zari.  First, the yarn washed and then dipped in the required color which is in a boiler and the worker goes on turning the yarn so that the color is evenly mixed in the yarn.

The most important aspect in this process is the mixing of colors which will give unique and durable color to the fabric. Then its again washed and dried. These yarns are then starched. Starching of the yarn is where the color in the yarn will get a more permanent nature and give the yarn a polished look. The silk used in Kanchipuram sarees is of the finest quality, one that is not cut or broken.

 

Weaving

Kanchipuram Silk Sarees woven from pure mulberry silk thread. The pure mulberry silk utilized in making Kanchipuram sari comes from South India and zari procured from Gujarat. To weave a Kanchipuram sari three shuttles are used. While the weaver works on the main side, his aide works on the left side shuttle. The border color and style are usually quite different from the body. If the pallu (the hanging end of the sari) have to be woven with a different shade, it's first separately woven then delicately joined to the Sari.

The part where the body meets the pallu usually denoted by a zigzag line. In an authentic Kanchipuram Silk Sari, body and border are woven separately and then interlocked together. The joint woven so strongly that the border will not detach even if the sari tears. That differentiates Kanjivaram silk saris from the others.

 

Design & Pattern

Kanchipuram saris distinguished by their wide contrast borders. Temple borders, checks, stripes, and floral (buttas) are some of the traditional designs found on a Kanchipuram sari. The patterns and designs in a Kanchipuram sari inspired by images and scriptures in South Indian temples or natural features like leaves, birds, and animals.

Kanchipuram saris vary widely in cost depending upon the intricacy of work, colors, pattern, material used like zari (gold thread), etc. The silk also known for its quality and craftsmanship, which has helped earn its name.

The Looms and The Technique

The Kanchipuram weavers in this profession by tradition. The very first weavers called by the Chola king, Raja RajaChola I (985–1014 CE), to weave these sarees, were chosen for their sheer talent on a loom and for centuries now, this skill have handed down from one generation to the next, with great care and diligence. There are no explanations, theories, or training for weaving. It is an art inherited, taught by the elders, and honed only by practice, creativity, and vision. Kanchipuram sarees weaved using the Korvai technique.

Korvai saree's border and pallu are always of the same color and are in bright contrast to its body. Weavers use the ancient craft of three-shuttle weaving and interlocking weft to achieve this effect. While the saree ornamented with pure gold zari, its motifs are inspired by nature and temple sculptures, religion & architecture. Weaving a Kanchipuram is a tedious task but the Korvai technique making it one of a kind and stamps it with splendor and durability.

Types of Kanchipuram Saree Options available with us:

1. Kanchipuram Classic Pure Silk Saree

2. Kanchipuram Pure Silk Saree with Korvai Border

3. Kanchipuram Pure Silk Saree with 1G/2G Gold Zari

4. Kanchipuram Pure Silk Saree with Pure Zari

5. Kanchipuram Pure Mix Saree

 

For Washing & Care Instructions click here