#Silk and Khadi Sarees in Bangladesh

[weaverstory]

Exotic weaves of India

India, a land known for its lush textiles, celebrated weaves and quintessential embroideries, tells us a tale of its ancient era, a tale of rich civilisations, a tale of folklores and a tale of unparalleled art. Weaving has been a constant artisanship that has been transmitting from generations to genera- tions since time immemorial. Whether it is the modest Khadi (a social fabric) or the beauty of chikankari, or the smooth silk or the brocade, or the cotton, India is a force to reckon. India ex- hibits an array of heritage techniques like Bandhini, Patola and Kalamkari to name a few, thus adding to its splurging textile market with worldwide buyers.

Today, the fashion designers are truly making conscious efforts to adapt the ancient wisdom of weaving and offering authentic crown-pieces to the world at large. Infact, there are a few exotic weaves of India that have been considered the finest work of prehistoric art that our older genera- tions could gift us. These weaves are an exemplary testimony to the art and to the weavers who have put their sentiments in every step of the way -

1.  JAMDANI

A hand woven loom, Jamdani is a tender and subtle fabric largely formed of cotton and was also termed as muslin in the primitive era. It has noteworthy floral and angular motifs beautifully wo- ven through a discontinuous weft technique and embroidery to create umpteen designs. This weave looks ethereal in its delicacy. Threads of gold, silver or other shades are used to create pat- terns, most famous being the paisley, duria, bootidar, tersa and panna hajar. Weaving of Jamdani is very labour intensive as it requires time and precision to create exclusive fabrics, sarees, lehengas and stoles.

Originated from Dhaka (undivided Bengal region and now in Bangladesh) during the Mughal era, and originally known as ‘Dhakai’, Jamdani was adored by the Mughals who introduced them to Bengal. Also, numerous archival data and folklores, suggested that Jamdani was be dated back to the first century. However, the world knew about this wonder mainly during the reign of Akbar and Jahangir in 15th and 16th century respectively. The base of Jamdani was muslin (most fine cloth ever created) and plentiful designs were created for patrons such as Nur Jahan and other queens. The flowered muslin became the Jamdani and was seen a lot until the early 19th century. Later, due to the destruction by erstwhile East India company of the Indian textile industry, the villages that once exulted the making of Jamdani were destroyed and this led to a stark decline in the availability of this weave. This gap was spotted by the talented designers of today and they recre- ated this weave with new characteristics keeping its history immortal.

An initiative of goodness, rooted in tradition, this ancient wisdom of art has a very special room in the hearts of our skilled artisans and Weaver Story has been successful in resurrecting this. We have played around with the patterns, compositions and inspired the artisans to realise the true potential of the looms, thus creating numerous reinterpreted designs of jaal, buti and cutwork in shades and hues of today.

Weaver Story proudly offers these gems of the past, for you to indulge in.

Explore - https://weaverstory.com/pages/search-results-page?q=jamdani%20saree

2.  IKAT-

The term ‘Ikat’ comes from the origin of Malay-Indonesian word for ‘tie’ and was introduced first to the Europeans during the early twentieth centuries and other parts of the world. This artistry flourished as a spectator of worldwide trading practices and had traversed through some notable trading routes. However, it is said that, in India sometime in the 7th century, murals wearing Ikat

patterned garments were seen in the caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Ikat is a thread itself that is dyed through natural or synthetic colours depending on its usage. And through this beautiful Ikat thread, Ikat fabrics were weaved, that had a profound character and came in appealing colour tones. Today, we see voluminous designs of this fabric in the length and breadth of India in appar- el, home furnishing and accessory categories.

The cultural fabric of India is an Ikat fabric as it has so much diversity in every 500 kms we travel within India. Every weave tells us a fable of rich craftsmanship and sentiments of the culture. The primary designs seen on Ikat are abstract, geometrical and floral. The abstract motifs can come from any kind of inspiration that the weavers or the designers get, geometrical patterns are stripes, chevrons, diamonds to name a few and florals patterns cover the entire flora and fauna.

The process of making the Ikat fabric is extremely unique and earthed in Indian tradition. Tie and dye techniques are employed before the actual weaving starts. And this process is repeated many times in order to form a lot of colours and a symphony of patterns. Single and double Ikat are mainly produced. The single Ikat process is where either the warp or weft carries the coloured pat- terns and other one is a single colour. ‘Double Ikat’ uses a convoluted technique where both the warp and weft are dyed before weaving them. The master weavers who create Ikat, are extremely adept and this process takes a few months to make one end-piece.

The most exotic designs of Ikat are seen in Orissa (Sambalpuri Ikat - mainly curly and circular de- signs), Gujrat (Patola or the Patan Patola - mainly floral and geometrics patterns) and Andhra Pradesh (Pochampally Ikat - mainly intricate and symmetric designs).

At Weaver Story, we deeply care about the ancient weaving methods and heritage Indian art. We strive to preserve and advocate it. Checkout our vibrant collection of Patolas and get mesmerised

- https://weaverstory.com/collections/patola-sarees-from-gujarat

3.  TANCHOI

Banarasi sarees are India famous for its lustre and keep. They come in abundant weaves and pat- terns so much so that we forget the world while exploring them. Banarasi Tanchoi is one of a few exotic weaves of proud India that exudes opulence and illume in every inch of it. Each piece is po- etry, a story to unravel. Weaver Story produces ethereal creations of Sarees and Lehengas with detailed Tanchoi artwork. They feature gorgeous motifs and pretty colours, blended evenly - https://weaverstory.com/pages/search-results-page?q=tanchoi%20saree

Tanchoi and the holy city of Varanasi (Banaras) are closely bonded and their lineage dates back to China. From there, the Parsi traders introduced this silk to India during the 18th century. It is be- lieved that, three weaver brothers from Surat were sent to China by a Parsi merchant to learn this art of silk weaving. And, when they returned they coined the term ‘Tanchoi’. ‘Tan’ means three and ‘Choi ‘ is a name adaptation of their Chinese teacher’s name . Sadly, during the early 20th century, much lighter fabrics like Georgettes and chiffons started to emerge and became a threat to silk. But, as they say history repeats itself, the silk started to see the light of the day and many such fab- rics started to get revived through Banarasi weavers and designers. Tanchoi was resurrected and became a hit yet again.

Today, the women are in awe of this weave. It’s making involves single or double warp and two - five colours on the weft, hence making it a complex process. Banarasi Tanchoi comes in a lot of ex- tremely popular varieties such as Satin Tanchoi (luminous appearance), Satin Jari Tanchoi (amal- gamation of gold and silver threads), Mushabbar (gives a vibe of a dense forest and its greenery), Atlas or Gilt (heavy in weight and is pure satin full of zari work) and Jamavar (elaborate motifs with heavier silk and weaves). These sarees are highly coveted by the Indian women. And the icing on the cake is that our current PM Narendra Modi, gifted a Tanchoi stole to Queen Elizabeth II in the year 2015 in the UK. This explains the fondness of Tanchoi’s rich ingrained heritage and grace.

  4. CHANDERI

The captivating charm of Chanderi, it’s lucent appearance, and feather light mass, Weaver Story is awestruck with this weave. We have seriously indulged in this design and handcrafted a lot of pleasing outfits. We love the artisanal craft that is meticulously depicted in the fabrics. Chanderi Sarees, while depicting our chronicles, are a delight to wear.

The glorious Mughal reign introduced Chanderi to the world. Apparently, this cloth was sent to Emperor Akbar and he was surprised to see its quality . Due to this, ‘karkhanas’ were established to weave Chanderi which later got shut down. Also, a town named Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh

seem to have adopted this weaving culture of the yore years and continued its legacy. This town was primarily a weavers town where more than half of the population weaved Chanderi. It is also believed that this fabric was introduced by Lord Krishna’s cousin Shishupal during the Vedic Period. This stretch of cloth was considered royalty when worn.

Chanderi weaves are made using cotton, silk and zari, intricately intertwined so as to give a grace- ful gleam of shine. Surreal motifs in floral and abstract shapes are created in a myriad of colours. They are sometimes coated or bordered with gold or silver colours in order to accentuate the ap- pearance of the sarees. Even Salwar kameez and lehengas come out very well in Chanderi.

Weaver story has designed charming pieces using Chanderi for you to adorn on your special occa- sions - https://weaverstory.com/collections/handwoven-chanderi-sarees

We sincerely pay homage to all the artisans, weavers and to our heritage that has been passed onto us and has deeply resonated with us. Weaver Story continuously strives to revive historical art and culture of our beloved nation.

[jerryfabriccreation]

Stunning And Captivating Silk Sarees And Reshom Mashlin Sarees With The Simple Embroidered Blouse Pieces.

Sarees are a wonderful traditional wear typically worn by women of India. They are not only found in India but also found in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Almost 30 different kinds of sarees are found in India like banarasi sarees, assam silk sarees, handloom silk sarees and many more. They are made up of different fabrics like khadi, georgette, Silk, cotton, chiffon and are sometimes made by machines or are hand-woven. Women in our country prefer to wear sarees particularly simple silk sarees and reshom mushlin silk sarees with beautifully embroidered blouse that give them a gorgeous look.

         Silk is one of the most expensive fabrics found in India. The silk sarees and the reshom silk sarees are purely made of silk and thus can be quite expensive. With its very intricately designed motifs the are an amalgamation of the skilled artistry culture and tradition of India. These are basically hand-woven sarees by the artisans of India and Bangladesh which involves an intricate needle work on the silk fabrics. They are safe to wear as no such inorganic chemicals are used in its production. The sarees are highly durable and there is no discolouration for a very long time. Some sarees even last up to more than twenty years if maintained properly.

           The sarees have a unique pattern and are not stiff.  The golden Zari threads are used to make simple designs of floral and geometric patterns on the sarees. We also find motifs like lamps on the sarees. This simple art work on the sarees gives it a very elegant and gorgeous appeal. As they are made up of silk these sarees are quite soft on the skin and at the same time are very light and easy to carry. Thus, they are perfect for everyday use and are also suitable to create a simple look for weddings and other festivals. The silk saree simple embroidery designs of the blouse also steal the hearts of customers for a These sarees are available in different colour and designs but among them the silk saree simple thread work blouse designs are the most popular. The sarees also if are properly pleated gives a slimming look and gives the user a level of confidence to present herself.

[prasiddhisilks]

Five Types of Cotton Sarees suitable for every occasion

Sari is the most beautiful Indian attire worn by women as it is comfortable to wear, and also from designers to bloggers sari is decorated with full finesse. In India, sarees are made from many fabrics like Silk, Cotton, chiffon, georgette, etc. But, Cotton is one of the most comfortable and breathable fabric. In every state, it has its traditional cotton saree. Facing the harsh summer temperatures in India, women often prefer to wear Cotton. Some of these cotton saris like Bengali Tant saris, which are famous for the quality of their clothes, Khadi saris, which is one of the oldest and most used fabric, Weaving styles saris, and many more, every saree has its distinct attribute.

So now, let's check out our list of 5 cotton sarees suitable for every occasion.

  Types of Cotton Sarees

   Tant SareeKhadi Saree

 Dhakai Saree

 Gadwal Saree

 Kota doria Saree

   Tant Saree      

Tant saree is the most popular cotton sarees worn by women of Bengal,

It is typically known for its starch infused crispness. Also, it is very soft, light, and very comfortable to drape, with a wide border, an attractive pallav, and are woven with a variety of floral and paisley patterns. These sarees are available in various designs. Make a mental note to wear one of these in the summer wedding. It is comfortable, and it’s classy. Tussar Silk Sarees

     Khadi Saree              

The most preferred and most breathable material, Khadi is a versatile and light fabric which makes it comfortable to wear and carry. Khadi sarees are traditionally made using handlooms and hand-spun cotton yarn. You cannot avoid summer without adding it to your wardrobe staples.

   Dhakai Saree               

  Dhakai sarees are initially from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Over time, the Dhakai sarees trend began to grow in the East, especially in Bengal. 

It is light as a feather and originates from an exotic conch shell of Mughal patronage with ancient Hindu traditions, there are the regular Dhakai sarees with dull thread work, and then there are those with golden thread work known as the Zamdani Dhakai sarees. Kalamkari Silk Sarees

Zamdani Dhakai sarees represent one of the most beautiful and most ancient forms of weaving, which was originated in Bengal.

   Gadwal Saree

Gadwal sarees are formerly from the Western part of India, Gadwal sarees come in earth light subtle and earth colors. Now, to meet the changing market, they are made in vibrant colors as well. Gold and copper shades of zari work are used on Gadwal sarees.

   Kota Doria Saree

The name Kota Doria is derived from its original place, Kota of Rajasthan, India. Kota Doria sarees are woven in Rajasthan. It is a beautiful blend of cotton and silk in a square check pattern known as khats. The square check pattern or khats on the fabric of Kota saree is woven in traditional pit loom to process the desired outcome. Kota Doria Silk provides shine while cotton imparts strength to the fabric.

[men-fashion-tips]

History of Indian Handloom and Its Benefits

It is a cottage industry where the entire family is involved in the production of cloth right from spinning the yarn colouring to weaving on the loom if done by them the tools required for this entire process are made from wood sometimes bamboo and do not require any electricity to run them the entire process of fabric production was completely manual in earlier times thus this is the most eco-friendly way

-Photo created by bearfotos on freepik

Indus Valley Civilization:

Indian handloom dates back to the Indus Valley civilization; even in ancient times, Indian fabrics were exported to Rome, Egypt, and China, and in earlier times, every village had its own weavers who made all of the villagers' clothing requirements such as sarees, dhotis, and so on. There were specific wool weaving centres in some areas where it was cold in the winter, but everything was hand spun and hand woven.

Natural Raw Materials:

Traditionally, the entire cloth-making process was self-sufficient. Cotton silk wool was obtained from farmers, foresters, or shepherds, and the cotton was cleaned and transformed by weavers or the agricultural labour community. Small handy instruments, such as the famous spinning wheel, also known as charkha, were used in the process. This hand spun yarn was mostly turned into cloth by women handloom weavers.

Unfair Competition:

There are many weaving styles that use machine spun yarn today, and these fabrics are referred to as handloom, while fabrics made from handspun yarn are referred to as khadi. Though textile and spinning mills continued to operate in independent India, and loom khadi was given extensive protection from unfair competition, the fabric was widely used and affordable to all. However, in the current scenario, since 1985, and particularly since the 1990s liberalisation, the handloom sector has faced competition from cheap imports and design imitations from power looms, as well as a significant decline in government funding and policy protection.

Whereas the cost of natural fibre yarn has risen dramatically in comparison to artificial fibre, the cost of natural fabric has risen significantly. This makes it unaffordable for the general public, but wages for handloom weavers have been frozen for the past decade or so. Due to their inability to compete with cheaper poly-mixed fabrics, many weavers are abandoning weaving in favour of unskilled labour, and many have been reduced to extreme poverty.

Beautiful Yarn Fabric:

Handloom is a timeless fabric that is unique in that no two fabrics are alike. Of course, the output depends on the weaver's skill set, but even if two weavers with similar skill sets weave the same fabric, the results will be different in some way because each fabric is a reflection of the weaver's moods. When a weaver is angry, the fabric is tight, whereas when he is sad, the fabric is loose, making each piece unique. In India, different weaving styles exist in different parts of the country, and within the same region, there can be as many as 20 to 30 different styles ranging from simple plain fabrics to tribal motifs and geometric designs.

Our Rich Textile Art:

Our weavers have been master craftspeople, and no other country can boast of such an exclusive wide range of rich textile art even today, where each woven saree is a masterpiece, just like paintings and photographs. Saying that handlooms must die because they are more time consuming and laborious than power looms is akin to saying that painting, photography, and clay modelling will become obsolete as a result of 3D prints and graphic designs. 

Instance of our signature men's wear:

The most well-known comfortable wear for men known as "Lungi" is our signature and traditional apparel that reflects our clothing culture. Lungi originated in the Indian subcontinent. Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan also wear it. In Singapore, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand, it is also known as longyi. People in India prefer colourful and geometrically patterned or printed lungi and handloom cotton lungi that are woven from natural raw materials that are pure and harmless.

Depending on the tradition, both genders may wear it. Lungi designs and styles differ from state to state in India. Because India is a multilingual country, Lungi has many interesting names based on their language and tradition, such as dhoti, veshti, tehmat, mundu, and so on.

Benefits of wearing yarn fabrics:

Cotton is a pure natural raw material that is used to make yarn. It has the ability to absorb moisture, so it keeps liquid away from your body. It can easily absorb sweat and keep you dry. Cotton fabrics are odourless, cool, long-lasting, and require little maintenance. As a result, this is widely regarded as the most comfortable and natural fabric to wear on a global scale.

[balaram-saha]

[ulamafashionblog]

Blend Ethnic Fashion with Khadi Fabric for Men and Women

Khadi fabric is a well-known hand-spun fabric that is unique to the Indian subcontinent, particularly India. While hemp is the most commonly used material for this cloth, silk and cotton can also be used. Khadi cotton used in making handloom lungi online clothes is most commonly found in Bangladesh and Pakistan, whereas hemp is more commonly found in India. One of the most intriguing aspects of this fabric is that it is extremely versatile, not only in terms of the types of garments it can be used to create, but also in terms of seasonal usage; that is, it is warm during the winter months and cool during the summer months, and can thus be worn at any time of year. Khadi is a fabric with significant historical significance in India and the freedom movement. Cotton grown in the country was exported at lower prices to Britain, turned into garments, and then sold back in India at exponentially higher prices, resulting in an unstable economy and widespread political unrest. As a result, in order to protest the injustice, the idea of spinning Khadi fabric to bring about more rural empowerment arose, and it became one of the symbols of the Indian freedom movement. Another distinguishing feature of this fabric is that it is eco-friendly and made without the use of harmful chemicals, which is why it has recently gained popularity.

-Photo created by sarangib on pixabay Khadi cotton clothes Khadi cotton fabric is used to make a variety of ethnic Indian garments. It is most commonly used to make salwar kameez sets, south Indian white lungi. These outfits are made up of three main parts: a well-fitted kurta that reaches the knees or just above the knees, a pair of loose pants with or without pleats, and a dupatta that is worn over the garment like a stole. Depending on the design, these can be either printed or embroidered. These are some of the most comfortable garments to wear and are ideal for women of all body types. Khadi fabrics are also used to make sarees, but they are not as popular as salwar kameez sets because they have an extremely starched and stiff appearance, which, while a characteristic of the fabric, does not always sit well with the look that sarees are meant to emulate. Cotton khadi fabric is also used to make women's accessories such as handbags, which are typically in the shape of sling bags, similar to those worn by hippies around the world. Due to the stiffness of the material, Khadi fabrics are also used to make satchel-shaped bags for women. These are large and usually have a boxy shape, and they can be easily paired with both Indian ethnic clothing and western wear without clashing with the overall look. Style tips Women who wear Khadi cotton kurtis tend to accessorise the garment with funky jewellery, owing to the garment's slightly rough texture and feel, which is well complemented by adding heavier styles of jewellery to the look. Beaded necklaces and bracelets are common forms of street jewellery. A few popular options include stone-studded jewellery. Few women choose to wear Indian jewellery with such attire because the contrast does not look good.  Indian khadi fabric is intended to represent and emulate a more rural or rustic look, which does not fit the vibe of expensive sets. Whether the garment is made of cotton or silk khadi fabric for printed lungi, footwear should be carefully selected because it has a significant impact on the overall appearance of the outfit. When wearing a salwar kameez set, flat V-shaped footwear, shoes with small heels such as wedge heels, or even high-heeled shoes look great because this garment can be worn with a variety of shoes. Some women prefer to wear them with Indian shoes, such as embroidered or embellished juttis, to complete the ethnic look. When it comes to khadi sarees, however, only high-heeled shoes should be worn because they complement the fall of the saree and make the garment look even more graceful when worn.

 When combined with junk jewellery, this can create an interesting, artistic overall look.

Casual handbags are also worn with these outfits. Indian bags made of khadi and embroidered with vibrant Indian motifs look great with these garments, adding to the ethnic vibe.

[lungiraja]

Nurture you with harmless Indian handloom apparels

Entrancing history of handloom in India:

It is a cottage industry where the entire family is involved in the production of cloth right from spinning the yarn coloring to weaving on the loom if done by them fabric produced from these looms is also referred to as and loom the tools required for this entire process are made from wood sometimes bamboo and they do not require any electricity to run them the entire process of fabric production was totally manual in earlier times thus this is the most eco-friendly way of producing clothes.

Indus Valley Civilization:

Indian handloom dates back to the Indus valley civilization; Even in ancient times, Indian fabrics were exported to Rome, Egypt, and China and in earlier times, every village had its own weavers who made all the clothing requirements needed by the villagers like sarees dhotis etc. Some areas where it is cold in winter there were specific wool weaving centers but everything was hand spun and hand woven.

Natural Raw Materials:

Traditionally the entire process of cloth making was self-reliant. The cotton silk wool came from the farmers foresters or shepherds and the cotton was cleaned and transformed by weavers themselves or by agricultural labor community. Small handy instruments were used in the process including the famous spinning wheel also known as charkha. Mostly, this hand spun yarn was later made into cloth by the women handloom weavers.

Unfair Competition:

Today there are many weaving styles that use machine spun yarn and these fabrics are referred to as handloom and fabrics made from handspun are called khadi fabrics. Though the textile and spinning mills continued in independent India and loom khadi were given a lot of protection from unfair competition, thus the fabric was widely used and affordable for everyone. But current scenario since 1985 and especially post-90s liberalization, the handloom sector had to face competition from cheap imports and design imitations from power looms, in addition, government funding and policy protection also declined drastically. Whereas, the cost of natural fiber yarn has increased tremendously in comparison to artificial fiber the cost of natural fabric has gone up. This makes it unaffordable for the common people but the wages of handloom weavers have remained frozen for the past decade or two. Inability to compete with cheaper poly mixed fabrics many weavers are quitting weaving and going for unskilled labor work and many have been reduced to extreme poverty.

Beautiful Yarn Fabric:

Handloom is timeless and is a beautiful fabric and special as no two fabrics can be alike. Of course, the output depends on the skill set of the weaver but even if we make two weavers with similar skills weave the same fabric it will be different in one way or the other each fabric is a reflection of the weaver's moods when a weaver is angry the fabric would be little tight while it would be loose when he is sad thus each piece is unique in itself. In India, there are different styles of weaving in different parts of the country and sometimes in the same region there could be as wider range as 20 to 30 varied styles from simple plain fabrics to tribal motifs geometric designs.

Our Rich Textile Art:

Our weavers have been master crafts people, where no other country can boast of such exclusive wide range of rich textile art even today just like paintings and photographs each woven sarree is a masterpiece. Saying that handloom must perish for its time consuming and laborious compared to power loom is like saying painting, photography, clay modelling will go obsolete because of 3d printers and graphic designs.

Instance of our signature men’s wear:

The most well-known comfy wears for men called “Lungi” is our signature and traditional apparel that speaks our clothing culture. Lungi has its origin in Indian Subcontinent. It is also worn in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is also called longyi in Singapore, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand. In India, people usually prefer colorful and geometric patterned lungies and mostly go far handloom cotton lungies which are weaved from natural raw materials having purity and harmless.  

Depending on the tradition, it can be wearing by both genders. In India, the designs and style of wearing lungi vary state to state. Since India is a multilingual country, Lungi has many interesting names like dhoti, veshti, tehmat, mundu, etc. based on their language and tradition.

Benefits of wearing yarn fabrics:

Yarn is called Cotton, which is pure natural raw material. It has the quality to absorb moisture so it keeps away the liquid from your body. It can easily absorb the sweats and maintain dryness. Cotton fabrics are odor free, cool, durable and offer less maintenance. Hence, this considered to be the most comfortable as well as natural cloth to wear worldwide.

Top Indian Handloom Cotton Lungi Sellers

1.Nandu Brand

2. Mr.Lungi

3. Sangu Mark

4. KIBS

5. Cotton Crown

These are some of the reputed handloom Lungi brands in India which are preferred worldwide and appreciated for its quality as well as designs.