Banarasi sarees are famously expensive due to their intricate gold and silver brocade (zari) work. Craftspeople may take up to one year just for one sari!
Their hallmark characteristics include Mughal-influenced motifs and floral patterns, stunning borders, and pallus designs.
Woven on Jacquard Looms
Authentic Banarasi saree are handwoven using handlooms and can take anywhere from several days to several months depending on their complexity and designs. As these intricate works require extensive skill, knowledge and craftsmanship – thus becoming quite expensive – weaving consists of weaving warp and weft threads together before adding metallic yarns (traditionally gold and silver; nowadays more often copper) in different patterns using zari threads for intricate designs woven over it to complete it – with an alloy of copper electroplated with gold being employed to bring down costs further and make these masterpieces less costly.
Pure zari thread is an extremely durable and hardwearing thread, and you can test a saree made of it by burning it – genuine pieces will produce an authentic scent before quickly extinguishing when taken away from the flame. Unfortunately, power looms have taken over and weavers find it increasingly difficult to compete.
Designing the Sarees
Banarasi sarees are well-known for their intricate brocade and zari work. Additionally, these beautiful garments feature paisley motifs and mina work. Crafted in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh with an incredible heritage behind them – often worn at Indian weddings as bridal wear.
Banarasi sarees require much time and dedication in their creation, with three people acting together to weave each saree using thousands of perforated cards which must be read correctly to produce desired designs.
Each design on a saree is known as either a buti, jaal or booti. A buti is an intricate weave woven into the fabric while jaals feature net-like designs in various shapes and sizes.
Banarasi sarees can be divided into four key varieties: Organza, Kora or Georgette, Shatir and Pure Silk. Furthermore, these sarees can further be divided into six segments depending on design and decoration elements – Jangla Tanchoi Tissue Resham Butidar Cutwork are examples.
Choosing the Sarees
Banarasi sarees are handwoven using fine silk threads to give them their classic appearance, making them the ideal choice for special events and adding elegance and grace to their wearers.
Sarees are known for their intricate, beautiful designs which depict various themes. This work is accomplished using a thread called zari that weaves intricate designs onto its fabric surface before being enhanced further with embroidery work, beads or stones for decoration.
Sarees are handcrafted by skilled artisans and take a considerable amount of time to create. Depending on its design, a single saree may take anywhere between six months and a year to be finished; once complete they can then be worn with an embellished blouse.
When selecting a Banarasi saree, make sure it suits your complexion. Select a blouse that complements its embroidery. Also avoid washing your saree in detergent as this could damage its fabric and ruin its aesthetic; hand or dry clean instead for optimal results.
Finishing the Sarees
Banarasi sarees are constructed of fine silk fabric that is prized for its luxuriousness. Additionally, these sarees are known for their intricate designs reminiscent of Mughal art and architecture; weaving can take as long as 15 days or 6 months to finish one saree!
Once, Varanasi was home to an abundance of Banarasi weavers; today their numbers have drastically diminished due to machine-made sarees using Banarasi silk and patterns as imitations.
When purchasing an authentic Banarasi saree, make sure that these elements are present: