Archive | November, 2009

Paithani Sarees, A Legacy of Maharashtra

27 Nov

Have you ever imagined a story narrated on a saree? India and its garments, especially sarees have been the bed of seamless creativity. Acknowledged all across the globe as a ‘poem’ hand woven onto silk and gold backgrounds, Paithani Sarees are the ultimate choice of majority women. The refined art of Paithani weaving prospered in Deccan area during Satvahana era, in 200B.C.

Since its inception, Paithani Sarees are in demand all across India as a precious heirloom that is inherited from generation to generation. Delicate silk from Paithani was exported to many countries and was traded in exchange for gold and precious stones. Passionate dedication and the faith of the weavers have still kept Paithani silk work alive for more than 2000 years. The actual Paithani Sarees are hand woven pure silk with gold/silver-embroidered designs.

You shall be amazed witnessing the intricate designs on Paithani pallu and border that is believed to be a specialty of such Indian Sarees. The perfectly made motifs on Paithani pallu will make you stand awestruck. The delicate designs of peacock, lotus, mango and others adorn the body of Paithani silks. Paithani Sarees often require from 2 months to several years to manufacture, depending on the design of border and pallu. The price of Paithani Silk sarees costs from Rs.6000/- to Rs.500,000.

The Paithani Silk sarees are woven primarily in traditional ways even after many centuries. Even in present day’s sophisticated world the methods of weaving Paithani have not changed. Paithani Sarees are woven with extremely delicate silk threaded sticks, thus bearing a testimony of Maharashtra’s fabric legacy of beautiful women. Some places in India do have the tradition of weaving silk but Paithani has carved its niche and retained a distinctive status since ancient times.

Alike its technique, the design and patterns used on the Paithani silks are equally special. Moreover, the silk used to weave Paithani sarees are also very delicate. Specifically the nature source such as different kinds of leaves, tree-skin, flowers; soils, lamps soot, etc. are used to make these radiant and pretty colors. The names of Paithani sarees depend on their colors. The perfect balance between the design of the Paithani borders and the overall color determine their specific genres. References to Paithani patterns are also found in folksongs and literature.

The embroidery on the borders of Paithani silks is another fascinating sight. Some of the primeval designs of embroidery on the saree borders and the inner design is made up of small orbs that is likewise essential from five hundred to nine hundred such orbs and can be found in one design.

The Paithani sarees are considered holy in Indian tradition owing to the use silk that has a special importance in Indian marriages. You can also buy Pathani sarees online these days at competitive rates. The innumerable variety of Pathani sarees online clearly gives you a glimpse of its demand even today.

Indian Benarasi Sarees

25 Nov

benarasi-sarees

Have you ever wondered why an Indian woman, no matter how badly bitten by Western fashion and style, cannot do without a collection of ethnic clothing in her wardrobe? May be this world is following a path of becoming a global village and we can hardly make out someone’s nationality barely by his or her attire, however, we have witnessed the soaring demand for Indian sarees around the world.


This is a fact that a woman can only look better if not her best in a sari – her ethnic clothing. That is the bull’s eye the Indian fashion maestros like Manish Malhotra, Satya Paul have hit. No wonder Indian designer sarees earning them fame as well as mullah from the international fashion market.


Indian saree market divides itself broadly into two; traditional and designer. Designer sarees, being a recent concept, obviously gets its inspiration from the incredible and infinite variety of color, designs, embroideries and fabrics of traditional sarees. One of those traditional sarees is Indian Banarasi saree; which is a typical Bridal wear in Eastern India. The weaver, as if weaves 6 yards of magic, tells a unique story in each interweave…creation never stops, always to surprise the onlooker! Who knows, may be this is why trousseau of a Hindu bride remains incomplete without a Benarasi saree – her unique bridal wear. It strikes every mind if the main purpose of Indian Benarasi Sarees is to give that unmatched beauty, grace and grandeur to the bride. A weaver may take any time between 15 to 180 days, owing to the complexity and uniqueness of designs.


Let us look back in the history to find out why Indian Benarasi saree distinctively attracts attention of the world of fashion. These stunning saris are weaved in Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world. When machine rules over human, Varanasi continues to preserve the elemental institution of hand weaving against all odds. In ancient times, weavers of Indian Benarasi sarees took inspiration for designs from Jasmine, thousand emeralds, marigold flower, betel nut leaf, diagonal stripes, corner-motif with a mango flower. As these sarees were meant for members of the royal families, in ancient times, threads made of original gold and silver were used for embroidery. With time, artisans started using golden and silver zari to look like the original gold and silver threads so that the general population could meet the expense of the royal and traditional Banarasi sarees of India.


Today, the popularity of this once-royal attire has become so implausible that the Benarasi sarees are exported worldwide. There are so many authentic shopping websites, which are successfully selling Benarasi sarees online. But the increasing number of fairer sex enthralled by Benarasi saree, can be imagined when they click on the websites to buy Benarasi sarees online, sitting at the other corner of this world. Benarasi saree will stay forever, ruling the hearts of women of all class, color, and race.
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Lehnga Choli – a Gorgeous Attire for all Seasons

24 Nov

lehenga choli

The lehenga choli is indeed gorgeous attire for all seasons and occasions. An exclusive variety of designer, traditional and contemporary lehnga-cholis such as fishtail lehenga choli, georgette lehenga choli, silk lehenga choli, a line lehenga choli, bridal lehenga, embroidered bridal lehengas are crafted today which shows how versatile the lehenga choli is. You may buy lehenga cholis in accordance to the requisite of the occasion in which you want to wear the same. Besides the traditional and conventional Bridal lehnga cholis, a vast variety of lehnga cholis can be worn in weddings, parties and festivals now. You may shop in preference to the fabric as well like georgette, crepe, silk, net, satin, brocade and tissue lehnga cholis. Lehnga cholis match the needs of the season in which you wish to wear the same as well. You may also make specific colour choices in lehnga-cholis, making the attire more convenient and versatile.

You may obtain lehnga cholis in preference to the work it has on it. Lehnga cholis in a large variety of work like sequins work, zari work, aari work, beads work, booti work, cutdana work, dori embroidery work, dumka work, gota patti, kasab work, neemzari work, parsi work, patch work, resham embroidery, sitara work, kundan work, stones work, mirror work, zardosi work etc. are offered.

Lehnga cholis are also available in diverse styles like Fish-Tail Lehnga Cholis,,Short Lehnga Cholis, Mermaid Lehnga Cholis, and Circular Lehnga Cholis. An exclusive collection of conventional bridal lehnga cholis is traditionally available in heavy work and embroideries everywhere today. Lehnga cholis also called chania cholis and ghaghras can be customized into dance dress, lancha, pavada, sharara and a wedding gown as well.
Lehenga is indeed an outfit that never goes out of fashion. lehenga choli-dupatta in diamond and bead embroidery, silk lehenga choli – dupatta with coloured zardosi embroidery, silk lehenga with multi coloured zardosi and stone work are some renowned designs. The rich fabrics is mostly used in Indian wedding lehengas, bridal lehenga are elegant and beautiful. Though graceful, silky lengha cholis must be however handled with care.

Today, a lehenga choli is yet another word for stylishness, and the garment is prized for its versatility, wear ability and comfort. If made in silk or cotton fabrics, the Indian lehenga choli absorbs moisture, which makes it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Because of its high absorbency, it is easily dyed in many deep colors. These lehengas retains its shape, drapes well, caresses the figure, and shimmers with a luster all its own, making them gorgeous attire for all seasons.

Lehngas own a special place in medieval as well as modern times. This is a special dress for all events, especially party wear. Bridal lehengas cholis are a new trend in wedding ceremonies. Lehangas can be worn at Eid, diwali and any other Indian festival.

Patola Sarees; the Grace of Gujarat

9 Nov

Patan the place in Gujarat is famous for its Patola Saree. Patola sarees are the hand made Sarees which are created in large quantities in Patan. Patola Sarees are famed for its subtle, attractive and clear pattern which is done with great precision and skill. These sarees are prepared with handlooms, and so according to the design and pattern, it takes time to produce this saree. Even surat is famous for the making of Patola Sarees; the pride of Gujarat.

Historical evidences show that Patola sarees have existed since at the thirteenth century and have always had upper-class and ritualistic associations. The walls of some south Indian temples, such as at Mattancheri (Kerala) and Padmanabhapuram (southern Tamil Nadu) exhibit eighteenth-century depictions of Patola designs. Gujarat is believed to have exported Patola sarees to South-East Asia since the fourteenth century. Traditionally crafted by the Hindu Salvi caste and traded to South-East Asia by the Muslim Vohra community, these expensive, high-status sarees were worn by the Vohras and wealthy Jains and Hindus (Brahmins and Bhatia traders) in weddings and other auspicious events. Slowly the Patola Sarees became a status symbol among Gujarati girls and graduated as an indispensable part of the women closet.

The patola saree is one of the best hand-woven sarees created today. Patola silk sarees are the pride of Gujarat. These sarees are fashioned by using the resist dying technique. There are two types of Patola sarees:

  • Rajkot Patola: This is only vertically resist dyed (single ikat).
  • Patan Patola: This is horizontally-resist dyed (double ikat).

Patola Sarees are recognized for their blazing bright colors and geometric designs interweaved with folk motifs. Every patola saree is one of its kinds as it is fashioned completely with the imagination and expertise of the weaver.

Fabric in Patola Saree:
Patola saree is woven from silk known as the patola silk. The patola silks are still made by a handful of master weavers from Patan and Surat known for their zari work.

The Process:
A Patola Saree takes 4 to 6 months to make, depending on how complex the design is. The Patan patola is done in the Double ikat style, which is possibly the most intricate textile design in the world. Every fabric consists of a sequence of warp threads and a lone weft thread, which binds the warp threads collectively. Each one of the warp threads is tied and dyed according to the pattern of the saree, such that the knotted sections of the thread do not catch the colours. The result is that both sides of the saree look precisely similar as if it is printed on both sides with identical designs, and can be worn both ways.

Design and Colour
The weaving is done on plain conventional handlooms, and the dyes used are made from vegetable extracts and other ordinary colours. Flowers, animals, birds and human figures form the fundamental design. Nowadays, there are new geometrical designs using the vegetable dye as well as chemical dyes. Patola Silk Sarees with vivid colours are also enriched with zardosi, kundan, sequins. The designs of Patola sarees have a wide range of variants. The designs of this saree principally fall into three types that comprise purely geometric forms, reminiscent of Islamic architectural embellishments and ajrak (complex geometric print designs of the Sind), such as the navaratna bhat (nine jewels design). Other designs that are included in the Patola sarees are the floral and vegetal patterns. These gratified the needs of the Muslim market which spurned depictions of animals and people, such as the Vohra bhat (Vohra community design), paan bhat (paan leaf or peepal tree leaf design), and chhaabdi bhat (floral basket design). The Patola sarees are also designed with patterns that portray forms as the nari (dancing woman), kiinjar (elephant) and popat (parrot). Among the Vohra Muslims, a version of Patola sarees is used as their marriage sarees.

The cost of this saree is very high and thus few people can afford to buy this sarees. Therefore due to its expensive exquisiteness, it has become a status symbol to wear this saree. One can wear this saree to formal occasions as well as to weddings to enhance her appearance and status.

Thus, Patola Sarees are the most time-consuming and intricate sarees produced in the western region. These sarees may have elaborate five-colour designs, resist-dyed into both warp and weft threads before weaving, ensuing in an entirely reversible fabric. The sarees are produced with great meticulousness and excellence by the artisans of the western region. Patola saree is a gorgeous saree which you can where for any formal occasion. Moreover, the Patola sarees are expansively used in each region for the diversity and the designs they manifest. As the custom exemplifies, the sarees have accomplished a grand position in the list of Indian Traditional Sarees, indeed becoming the pride of Gujarat.

Draping Saree in Emblematic Bengali Style

3 Nov

Six yards of clothes; that is all there is to the sarees. Yet, it showcases a certain poise and grace to the wearer unsurpassed by any other garment. More prominently, the saree exemplifies the continuity of an ancient custom that has withstood the ambush of many dissimilar cultures, to materialize today as an evident symbol of the resiliency, continuity and timelessness of the Indian way of living.


Then again, each state exhibits a singular style of draping the saree. This is typically determined by the lifestyle of the populace of that region. The urban Indian style is by far the one most familiar seen. Stiff tangails, elegant silks, graceful chiffons and heavy brocades – all of them can be easily maneuvered into this fashion. Tied about the waist, the saree forms a skirt with the pleats positioned in front thus allowing for unopposed movement. The Pallav or the piece draped over the left shoulder of the blouse is either pleated and pinned up for ease, or is left flowing free for glamour.Bengali Style Saree Drapping


The Bengalis of eastern India are ritual bound. Bengali women are exceptionally active, yet sternly traditional. This is perhaps finely reflected in the fact that during celebrations, come what may, all Bengali women make it a point to drape their saree in the emblematic Bengali style.


The majority of the sarees of East India are hand loomed sarees. The more conventional Bengali hand loomed sarees are made in such a way that they look most attractive when worn in a Bengali drape. Light weight cotton sarees with lesser borders also look good in such fashion. There are fewer pleats in this style (mostly, it has only two very broad pleats). The stepwise instructions about draping the Indian sari in the emblematic Bengali style are:

  1. First unwrap the saree and wrap it about yourself from right to left and slip it in the petticoat’s waistband.

  2. Keep on wrapping around the body till the right hip and make a fold for the first pleat, turn around the saree and bring it back over to your left hip, then again overturn the cloth and draw it back to your right hip. This way you get two big pleats in the front.

  3. Clutch the pleats up, level them with the first wrap of sari beneath and insert it tidily into the waistline.

  4. Take the uppermost border of the sari and keep it on your left shoulder. Seize the top border halfway between the waist and shoulder and pull the sari out in front. Drag it until there is sufficient length to wrap it around till your mid back.

  5. Slip it into the waist in the center of the back.

  6. Take the pallu (which is draping at the back from over the left shoulder) from under the right hand and again drape it over the left shoulder in such a way that the bottom end remains under the waistline. This will leave only a very tiny bit of pallu at the back which should be held by something somewhat heavier, like keys, to make it stay at the back.