Fashionista 2020

Traditional Banarasi Saree

I have shown Banarasi Sarees once, but it plays such a role in Indian women’s life that I want to show you the different varieties of banarasi, starting with traditional banarasi.

Banarasi Saree is made in Varanasi (also known as Banaras) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Banarasi Silk is an unmatched example of excellent artistry. Mughals brought this craftsmanship in India. In addition Persian motifs were being mixed up with the Indian customary attire. These are the finest sarees in India and are known for their real gold and silver brocked (known as zori in India), fine silk and opulent embroidery. Copper alloys plated in gold or silver known as zori threads. Because of this design these sarees are relatively heavy. Banarasi Sarees are mostly worn by Indian women on important occasions, such as attending a wedding or a party. These sarees are always complemented by women’s best jewellery.

Red Banarasi Sarees are traditionally Indian women’s wedding dress.

The design of Banarasi Sarees largely consisted of Islamic motifs such as floral patterns, upright leaves called jhallar, jail work (a net like pattern) and mina work. There are four main varieties of Banarasi Sarees which includes Pure Silk (Katan), Organza (Kora) with zori and silk, Georgette and Shattir. Of these, Pure Silk varity is the most renowned which I am showing now. On the basis of design Banarasi Sarees are also classified into Jangla, Tanchoi, Vaskat, Cutwork, Tissue and Butidar. Atleast three craftsmen work together to make up one sari by using the power-loom. One artisan has to weave the silk and one has to dye the silk, where the other one has to engage the bundle of silk, which creates the power ring.

Depending on the intricacy of its designs and patterns, a saree can take 15 days to six months to complete. Some sarees even take a year. Due to increasing price of gold and silver, a Banarasi Saree will cost approximate Ruppes 5000 to Ruppes 200,000 ( US $ 80 to US $ 3200). It has a great resell value due to zori.

These sarees are even passed down the generations just like precious jewellery.

Almost every married Indian woman has a Banarasi Saree in their custody as her wedding dress.