Fashionista 2020

Bishnupuri Silk Saree

Photo Curtsey: Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal

Bishnupur, a town in the Bankura of Wes Bengal is known for its rich silk sarees, that have a soft, smooth texture and drape beautifully. These light-weights, pure silk sarees come in varieties of colour with traditional as well as quirky designs and motifs. Apart from Bishnupuri Silk Sarees, Bankura is famous for its Dokra Art, Terra-Cotta Art and Baluchari Sarees. Bishnupur is famous for its Terracotta Temples made by local red soils. The town often called as the “Temple City” of Bengal.

Silk weaving continues to be an important cottage industry in Bishnupur, and about 15% of its population is employed in the handloom sector today. But the region is not suitable for silkworm rearing or mulberry cultivation due to extreme climatic condition. Therefore most of the raw silk used here comes from neighboring silk producing districts of West Bengal such as Murshidabad and Malda. In addition to Bishnupuri and Baluchari silk sarees, block printed, acid printed and batik printed designs are quite common. These sarees are very light and airy and comes in varieties of colour with traditional as well as quirky designs. They are soft and easy to drape, also suitable for both casual and formal wear.

Few more varieties.