Kanchipuram or Kanjivaram Sarees By Karagiri

 Kanjivaram Saree

The weave of God and the dream of an Indian woman-Kanjivaram.

Can any conversation around sarees be complete without speaking about the queen of silk? The idea of this blog is to make you once again fall in love with the weave and saree called Kanjivaram.

During the wedding season, kanjivaram is a classy ethnic option and sells like hotcakes. Ask any South Indian woman what a kanjivaram pure silk saree means to her and she will inevitably state an expected fact – it is a rich looking smooth ocean of silk that is meant for display at exclusive occasions and a possession to be prized for life. The name Kanjivaram comes from a small town or village named Kanchipuram in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where the saree is believed to have originated. The royal appeal, the spectacular essence and the impeccable craftsmanship makes a kanjivaram silk saree a showstopper that has been mesmerizing the onlookers, for 400 years! These sarees receive GI – Geographical Indication - status from the government of India.

Origin & History

Originating from Kanchipuram, a small town in Tamil Nadu, the kanjivaram saree wearing style is being weaved for 400 years now, by weavers who moved from Andhra Pradesh and gained popularity during the reign of Krishna Devaraya. As per Hindu mythology, the Kanchi silk weavers were descendants of Sage Markanda. They were the weavers of God and weaved silk from the tissue fiber of lotus. This material was a favorite of Lord Vishnu.

Unmatched Durability

The ornate pallu and borders are woven separately in all kanjivaram zari saree – a speciality – which is then attached to the main saree body, through intricate weaving. Such is the precision that nobody can tell two separate pieces of cloth have been woven together! A zigzag pattern called pitni can be spotted, though, where the pallu meets the saree. Plus, this is done so beautifully that the resultant product is extremely durable – and doesn’t come apart or tear, even after years.

Weaving Process

Generally, the palu and rest of the saree are different from each other and generally, they are woven separately and joined later. In fact, often a zig-zag pattern denotes the part where it is joined. Three different shuttles are used to weave with a with a silver wire. While this makes the fabric strong and durable, this also adds to the weight of the silk saree, making it more than 2 kilograms in general.

What is special about about the Kanjivaram Silk Saree?

The kanjivaram saree pattern is made of pure silk, with motifs having zari of silk threads dipped in liquid gold and silver. For it to be classified as a kanjivaram saree bride wear, Geographical Indication (GI) stricture stipulates that the decorative zari must have at least 57% silver and 0.6% gold in it.

The special appeal of this seemingly royal venture are the very intricate designs that are woven into the body in gold threads of human and animal figures or geometric designs with temple towers along the border. The borders have wide contrast. Temple borders, checks, stripes and floral (buttas) are traditional designs found on a kanjivaram saree online. The base material, silk, is also known for its quality and craftsmanship. Good fine count weaves with suitable enhancement, suitable linings and smooth texture, with the special shimmer quality have kept its reputation as a valuable product to be carefully stored and displayed on those special occasions like weddings, grand parties, big festivals, social functions.

In order to get the protection and continued sustenance for a valuable product that is the outcome of devotion and dedication, the kanjivaram saree pattern has acquired the Geographical Indication label in 2005 for its origin.

Styling and Maintenance

Kanjivaram sarees are worn in many different ways, especially like a lehenga by the bride. Nowadays, women often pair their kanjivaram half saree with fancy blouses or a jacket. The best way to style a kanjivaram saree style is to keep it simple. A statement gold necklace along with some dewy, fresh makeup is perfect for any occasion. The best way to keep a kanjivaram saree draping is to store it in a separate saree bag and maintain it by dry cleaning.

A kanjivaram heavy saree has been recognized as a geographical indication by the Government of India since 2005-06. A geographical indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. These sarees are an integral part of the Indian culture as well as an heirloom that is often passed down by generations. These sarees are rich in history, culture and help you nail the perfect ethnic look. To check out our latest collection kanjivaram fancy sarees, visit www.karagiri.com and get yourself a saree you’ll look gorgeous in!