Banarasi- The Evergreen Opulence!
There is something about traditional Indian wear, especially Banarasi sarees, which drives Indian woman towards it. Time and again women, including Bollywood celebrities have donned the pristine weaves of Banarasi sarees. Having said that, Kalaashree has become the first choice for many women for choosing the pure silk handloom Banarasi sarees.
Banarasi silk sarees have come a long way from their appearance during the Mughal empire to the twenty-first century. Sarees have become the national attire of Indian women, and they play an essential part in their daily lives.
The Banarasi saree is popular, not only as a bridal dress in weddings but also among ladies of all religions. This Banarasi saree is causing sensations not only in the Indian fashion industry but also around the world.
With each passing year, Bollywood divas seem to get more and more traditional. A growing list of Bollywood actresses has added the traditional Banarasi sarees to their wardrobe in 2021. Thus, proving again that the love for Banarasi sarees is there in the heart of every woman across India, including Bollywood divas, who are often seen as the style statement in the country.
An outfit worth the recognition and praise it receives, Indian Sarees have held captive many hearts over the years, gradually becoming one of the most beloved attire flaunted by women everywhere. Banarasi sarees, as the name suggests are a kind of saree made in the thriving city of Banaras or Varanasi. Woven intricately with hard work and utter concentration, this kind of saree has been preferred over many other by women due to its elegance and opulence.
Many elaborate and sophisticated designs are weaved into the six yards of this ethnic apparel, making it gorgeous. Varanasi still uses hand-weaving techniques despite advances in technology. The weavers weave exquisite designs with gold and silver threads to make this Banarasi saree.
The beauty and exquisiteness of the Banarasi saree is enough to make women go gaga over the fabric and design, no matter what the occasion or the season.
The Banarasi saree is one of the most ornate and beautiful garments from India, worn across the country for special occasions and weddings. This bridal favorite is much loved by all generations for its unmatched beauty and splendor. Banarasi sarees are produced exclusively in the ancient city of Varanasi and surrounding villages, utilizing special techniques and unique designs.
Banarasi silk sarees have originated from religious city of Banaras and a sense of mysticism is always attached to this saree. Crafted using gold or silver thread and created with the highest grade of silk fabric, banarasi silk saree got the title as the queen of Indian silk sarees. Combining Persian and Indian styles, these sarees are decorated with small booties or motifs across the entire length. These sarees are identified with delicate embroidery or intricate zari work.
Banarasi Silk sarees have always been exclusive and captivating. Finely woven fabrics it is the rich brocades in gold & silver zari, including fine designs and engravings, the relatively heavy and opulent affair that is part of every North Indian bride’s trousseau and a must-have finery fabric for weddings and exclusive occasions in many Indian homes. The speciality of the Banarasi saree lies in its use of zari or rich gold and silver colored thread work on motifs and brocades. The influence of Mughal designs is evident from the awesome floral and leafy motifs known as ‘kalga’ and ‘bel’ and outer border designs of upright leaves known as ‘Jhallar’.
The distinctive look of these woven silk sarees is mainly due to the dual influence of Mughal and Hindu cultures in the textile and the designs. Banaras or Varanasi has always been a busy center of production of luxurious textiles for aristocrats and royalty, especially various fine varieties of silk and muslin.
This ethnic wear has many intricate and complex designs woven into the six yards that make this saree stunning. Even with technology, Varanasi still uses hand-weaving techniques to weave intricate designs with gold and silver threads to make this Banarasi saree. These beautiful and elegant sarees have become very popular and every woman’s first choice when it comes to sarees. Their fashionable and exotic weavings by designers who use zari, motifs, and emeralds have become a favourite among women across the world.
History of Banarasi Sarees
This illustrious legacy of banarasi sarees can be traced back to mentions in the Mahabarata. It has a history that is intertwined with Indian culture. It began to gain traction in literature in the nineteenth century.
A beautiful weave such as the ones on a Banasari saree can only have an origin as beautiful as the fabric itself. A city that was renowned as a cotton textile hub, Banaras has given people its culture in more ways than one. The designs on these beautiful silk weaves have been inspired from the Mughals with designs that were prominently seen on the attire worn by the Mughals. Floral motifs and more can be seen on the Banarasi weave, making them heavier and more exquisite.
The history of Indian sarees dates back to the Hindu mythology of Ramayana in the 1000 to 300 B.C. Banarasi silk was introduced to India by the Mughal Empire with its intricate weaving and designing craftsmanship. The Banarasi silk today has a mixture of two different cultures, the Mughals and Indian. In the olden days, silk for this saree was imported from China; nowadays the silk is sourced from the Southern parts of India.
Types of Banarasi Sarees
In the beginning, only pure banarasi silk was available to drape the regal silhouettes. As time passed, different sorts of silk emerged, making it more accessible for everyone and providing more options. Kalaashree offers a wide collection of exclusive sarees in varieties of fabric such as Organza Silk, Georgette Silk, Banarasi Silk, etc.
Banarasi sarees come in varied patterns and designs that are each set to woo the hearts of saree lovers everywhere. The types of Banarasi sarees are distinguished on the basis of their designing and the type of material used. Here are some of these types that can help you decide on the right choice for you, depending on what you prefer most.
Zardozi is metal embroidery done on fabrics to enhance their appeal. In earlier times, especially in the Mughal period and much later, when it was easily available, gold or silver threads were used. Today, with prohibitive costs and limited availability, it is done with a combination of copper wire coated with gold or silver color and a silk thread. It is indeed a test of skill and patience, where the satisfaction of completing a design flawlessly is the reward for this effort. Zardozi has been used on fabrics since long but the heightened or accentuated effect is most visible on a saree, since it has a big canvas to display.
Tanchoi Banarasi is a famous weaving method that involves a single or double warp and two to six colors on the thread which are often of the same color, on Silk fabric. One of the unique factors that make these banarasi sarees a class apart is small weaving patterns over the fabric and eccentric handstiched flowers, peacocks, Sun, etc. All over India has a craze of tanchoi sarees for formal occasion, wedding ceremonies and festivals. Women like to wear Tanchoi saress in winter season most.
Banarasi sarees are an integral part of an Indian bride's outfit. Before buying a bridal banarasi saree decide which traditional look will suit you. The average cost of designer banarasi sarees varies with the design of the pattern and border. When you are planning to attend a great event like wedding ceremonies these sarees will really give you a royal look.
Banarasi significance for Weddings
The bridal Banarasi saree usually comes in bridal colors like red and maroon, with a lot of heavy gold embroidery and woven designs of fertility symbols like flowers and fruits. It is the most ornate of all the different types of Banarasi sarees, and is typically very rich and opulent looking because of the additional embellishments.
A Banarasi saree collection also usually has a few sarees with stone, sequins, cut dana and cut beads embellishments as well as the woven embroidery and designs on the fabric itself. These will typically be restricted to the border as the saree on the whole does not require any additional designs to enhance its’ beauty.
Earlier, only Chinese silk and real gold and silver was used in the creation of Banarasi sarees and each saree was completely uniquely patterned. Such one-of-a-kind sarees can still be obtained and take up to a year to produce; however, to meet the demand of all consumers, most Banarasi sarees today utilize more affordable substitutes like gold plated bronze threads.
History of Banarasi saree is deeply rooted in the tradition and culture of India. Banarasi saree is made in Varanasi, the city which is called Banaras also. These sarees are very fine or may be one of the finest sarees in India which are not only made of finely woven silk, but also at the same time relatively heavy in weight because of its intricate designs and engravings which are of zari or brocade. In fact, Banarasi sarees are famous for their gold and silver brocade or zari work, fine silk and opulent embroidery.
When a bride selects a Banarasi saree for her wedding she goes through the variety of Banarasi sarees and then makes her selection. There are Katan, georgette, brocade, tissue, korial, tassar and organza Banarasi sarees available in boutiques and prestigious showrooms. Tussar Banarasi is also a very chosen one for its unique elegant look that is suitable for all ages. When the bride decides to wear a traditional attire she can never go wrong with one age-old handloom of Banaras. In India it is believed that a bride with Banarasi saree in her wedding trousseau will always rule like a queen in her home. There are certain things need to be observed while choosing a Banarasi saree for bridal. The time of the ceremony is a very important factor for deciding the color of bride’s Banarasi saree. Normally women opt for red sarees but for morning wedding one can also choose colors like peach, powder blue, lime green on any other pastel shades. For evening ceremony the bride should go for a dark color like red, orange, rust, yellow etc.
Kalaashree- The best place to buy Banarasi Sarees
Banarasi sarees are love. No one can deny it. And if you are wanting to have the love of your life, then hope onto Kalaashree today, browse through the wide range of elegant-looking Banarasi sarees, and buy yourself the most prestigious weave from the rich history of India today.
The Banarasi saree has long since been acknowledged as a fabric that evokes enthusiasm, curiosity, amazement and a host of similar emotions on its arrival. One of the costliest versions is this recent range of rich Brocade saree. Every time a new avatar arrives it is welcomed enormously by the market. This range too could get its ovation and maybe a standing one at that, for what it offers by way of allure and grandeur is probably the most unexpected but has been hugely applauded.
India is second to China is silk production. India exports its silk to over 200 countries around the world and the demand is increasing especially in Europe and America. These traditional and stunning Banarasi silk sarees are recognized globally due to the unique patterns and intricate designs made on the sarees. Bollywood celebrities and popular personalities are now wearing Banarasi sarees for weddings, special occasions, or functions. The Banarasi saree is a must-have in the wardrobe.
Kalaashree tends to preserve the quality of banarasi sarees delicately handwoven by our artists over time. The Banarasi saree was created before the digital age, before many of our ancestors were born, and even before our country gained freedom. Nonetheless, the saree and silk have flourished, prospered, and excelled in the centuries since their invention. Silk reigns supreme, and the historic city continues to perform its historic purpose.