THE MANIFOLD ESSENCE OF BANARASI SAREES

Banarasi saree manifold essence silk banaras tissue katan shattir organza buttidar jamdani monga georgette techniques types of silk indian heritage indian fashion exquisite silk sarees satin dupion tussar

The regal Banarasi saree is nothing but six yards of sheer elegance and royalty

This is not just a saying as originally crafted exclusively for royalty, these sarees have a rich history. In the ancient days, Banarasi sarees were made from real gold and silver threads and took almost a year, if not more, to make. It is widely believed by the historians that Mughal emperor Akbar paved and led the way for silk-made Banarasi sarees to reach different parts of the country and it has been a favourite among the population ever since.

Today there is a soaring demand around the world for this fabric embedded with lustre and elegance, all thanks to the great artisans with skilled and nimble hands. Be it now or long ago, Banarasi sarees have always been a desirable addition to every woman's wardrobe, akin to owning a piece of luxurious history.

If you go to any e-market/market today you will find a lot of varieties of Banarasi sarees to choose from and chances are that you might get confused. For the very same reason, we will now enter into the vibrant world of banarasi sarees and list the different types of banarasi saree silks and techniques for you!

SHATTIR

Shattir is the sole fabric used to create contemporary and unique designs of Banarasi Sarees. Looking at the pattern you can easily recognise the Banarasi saree is woven over Shattir fabric. The sarees made with this fabric are light-weight, fashionable and gives you a more casual look which might help to integrate Banarasi sarees into mainstream everyday modern fashion. It is also an affordable option for wearing a banarasi saree making it more accessible for everyone.If you are looking for a Banarasi saree to wear frequently and on your regular days, Shattir is the best option for you

KATAN

Katan silk is made up of pure silk threads and is created by twisting and smoothly weaving them to create a sturdier fabric. Katan is one of the softest and finest quality of silk and has characteristics similar to mulberry silk. Katan silk sarees are the most sought after when talking about banarasi and a must-have for a bridal trousseau.It creates durable, lustrous and extravagant sarees. Being a primary silk saree, it has an exotic lustre and sheen to it, this makes the Katan variety glamorous and exquisite for weddings or any other occasion.

JAMDANI

The word ‘Jamdani’ comes from Persian language, where ‘Jam’ means flower and ‘Dani’ means vase. Jamdani Banarasi is a very special type of hand-loomed silk brocaded with cotton and, on rare occasions, zari threads. Previously known as dhakai sarees, it is considered to be more of an interpretation rather than a type of Banarasi saree. Artisans usually paint beautiful motifs of marigold, jasmine and emeralds on them and make these Jamdani Banarasi sarees very luxurious and hefty. These are the most basic types of Banarasi sarees that you can wear and flaunt as they give off very sophisticated vibes.

DUPION SILK

Dupion is another form of pure silk, light in weight with a gleaming and crisp texture.The double-thread nature of the silk makes it stronger than other silk variants. It is known to have many lumpy, lateral strands of thread that are called slubs. It is very resistant to wrinkles and can hold a crease pretty well. People often call banarasi dupion silk as Khadi silk. If you are looking for a durable banarasi silk saree, this suits you the best!

TUSSAR SILK

Tussar Banarasi silk is produced from larvae of several species of silkworms belonging to the moth genus. Also known as Ghicha silk (the undyed form of tussar silk) or kosa silk, this type of silk is valued for its rich texture and natural deep gold colour. Tussar Banarasi silk sarees are a must for Indian women as it is one of the coolest fabrics. Tussar silk is also very comfortable as it is one of the most breathable fabrics. Add this to the trousseau right now!

SATIN SILK

The sarees made from satin silk are among the finest sarees' in India. Satin silk banarasi sarees are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent designs. The sarees are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy.If you are searching for a beautiful Banarasi Satin Silk Saree having vibrant colours and heritage designs then we suggest book yourself a banarasi satin silk saree today!.

UPPADA SILK

Uppada silk sarees are woven in the footsteps of the traditional Jamdani method. These are considered to be an essential part of ethnic collections by Indian women.The appealing designs of Uppada soft silk sarees are the reason for their magnificent beauty. Uppada Silk sarees require intensive labour as they are woven by employing only non-mechanical techniques. The most evident thing that attracts everyone to an Uppada Silk Saree is their marvellous zari work. If you want a saree that gives you a lavish look, this one here is our pick for you!

MONGA

Monga silk is known for its extreme durability and gives a natural yellowish-golden tint. This variety of silk has a shimmering and glossy texture. It was an important fabric back in the day as it was reserved for the use of royalty. It is one of the finest and ancient silk materials, woven from Muga Silk yarns extracted from delicate Muga silkworms found in the north-eastern parts of India. Banarasi silk sarees made from mooga are an unexampled epitome of delicacy, rich finished property, and the common impression. With a mix of the best scope of strings and the best weaving method, these sarees contact each layer of silk. If you want to feel and look like royalty this should be your pick!

KHADDI GEORGETTE

Khaddi Georgette is a sheer, lightweight, crêpe fabric which is originally made from twisting yarns of silk. Khadi Georgette banarasi sarees are known for their crinkly surface and weft fashion that gives it a particular flair. Banarasi khadi georgette sarees are among the most distinctive sarees in India and are known for their rich use of zari and lovely dyes. These beautiful sarees are counted to be the finest among Banarasi sarees as they are comparatively lighter than Katan or Shattir. The silky georgette fabric, made of crepe yarn, makes these banarasi sarees a joy to drape, with their contemporary yet comfortable appeal.

KORA ORGANZA

Kora Silk is a very thin plain weave sheer fabric type of Silk.The sheer, almost-see-through nature of the fabric helps maintain a weightlessness to it which coupled with the shine it derives from the silk yarns, adds the required tone of charm to one’s outfit. These sarees usually have a prominent border even when it has a body of simple work. They are woven intricately with silver and gold zari threads to create different patterns. The organza fabric gives it an even and shiny look which feels soft while draping.One of the most common Banarasi saree worn by women is made with Kora Organza fabric.This special saree always gets attention and gives you a presentable look. Its rich embroidery and zari patterns make it a very good and light-weight option.These Banarasi sarees are smooth, silky, and shiny making them an ideal choice for stealing the limelight!

LINEN

Linen is regarded as one of the oldest textiles obtained from flax plant fibres. It has a natural shine, which when blended with silk, gets amplified.Linen is the perfect wear for summer because it has a highly absorbing quality and dries faster than cotton.What sets it class apart is that it allows easy air flow and reflects heat better. It has a resilient strength and is glossy and durable. So if you want a Banarasi saree which is enduring as well as shiny, Linen Banarasi saree is the perfect match for you!

BUTTIDAR

This Type of Banarasi saree gives a royal look. It is an intricately and heavily woven sarees of silk threads with gold, silver, and silk brocades running through them. Also called the Ganga-Jamuna, it has traditional patterns and motifs to give the saree a royal look like Gojar Bail, Jhari Butta, Patti Butti, Thakka Anchal and many more. It is the most mainstream and particular among all the kinds of Banarasi sarees. Buttidarsarees come planned with different botanical themes and later turn out to be an unadulterated silk translation of the Banarasi sarees with no zari work describing it.
If you want a Banarasi saree that makes a lot of heads turn wherever you go, you should definitely try the Butidar saree.

TISSUE

Tissue banarasi is famous for its smooth finish and golden lustre. It is also known as the golden fabric because of its profuse gold zari weaving.It is made by the combination of metallic thread (zari) and coloured silk yarn producing a fabric which is translucent, giving it a classy look. The carefully woven threads give it lustre and shine, making you feel like royalty. While the gorgeous floral motifs and the diamond patterns add to the look.Tissue Silk Sarees have the most rich, lustrous texture and delicate craftsmanship of them all.These sarees have a particularly exuberant appearance to them due to their brilliant sheen and delicacy which makes it a perfect fit for wedding season!

We are sure that one thing is clear and final: whatever the fabric or technique may be, we now know the outcome is a dazzling saree which will automatically assume a unique position in your closet. This will be passed onto future generations as a family treasure.

We hope this blog helps you in deciding which silk saree suits you the best, although we would recommend trying each type before settling on any one!