A saree is a traditional Indian garment that consists of a long piece of fabric that is draped over the body in a variety of styles.
Top 10 sarees of India, The saree is typically worn with a blouse and petticoat underneath, and it can be made from a variety of materials, including silk, cotton, and synthetic fabrics. The saree is a versatile garment that can be worn for both formal and casual occasions, and it is an important part of Indian culture and heritage.
In Indian culture, wearing a saree is a sign of respect for elders and family values. It is believed that wearing a saree brings a sense of dignity and grace to a woman’s personality. It is also considered a symbol of modesty and femininity, and it helps women to feel confident and empowered.
The most popular and traditional types of sarees are:
- Kanchipuram silk saree.
- Banarasi saree.
- Paithani.
- Chanderi saree.
- Patola saree.
- Pochampally saree.
- Sambalpuri saree.
- Bandhani.
- Gadwal Saree.
- Kota Doria.
Now let’s see the beauty and tradition behind this top 10 saree of India in detail:
Kanchipuram silk saree
The Kanchipuram silk saree is a type of silk saree made in the Kanchipuram region in Tamil Nadu, India. These sarees are worn as bridal & special occasion sarees by most women in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005–2006.
Unique Features Are:
The body and border are woven separately and then interlocked together. The joint is woven so strongly that even if the saree tears, the border will not detach. And it is little heavier than other sarees. What differentiates the Kanchivaram silk saris from the others
Cost:
The price starts with minimum cost of 25000 and maximum up to 40 lakhs, it is an expensive one due to the purest form of ingredients used as well as the time and skill that the weavers put into it.
Banarasi saree
A Banarasi sari is a sari made in Varanasi, an ancient city which is also called Benares (Banaras). The saris are among the finest saris in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or Zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The saris are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy.
Unique Features Are:
Mughal-inspired designs/elements such as intricate floral and foliate motifs, such as kalga and bel.
Cost:
It falls in the range between 10000 to 3-4 lakhs. The weaving process is also laborious and consumes weeks or even months. Due to these factors, original Banarasi sarees tend to be costly.
Paithani
Paithani is a variety of sari, named after the Paithan town in Aurangabad district from state of Maharashtra in India where the sari was first made by hand. Present day Yeola town in Nashik, Maharashtra is the largest manufacturer of Paithani.
Unique Features Are:
It is almost identical on both sides and dazzles in the sunshine or the spotlight.
Cost:
Generally, the price range for an original Paithani saree starts from 25,000 Rs to 5 lac Rs. Paithani sarees are an extremely time consuming and skill-based weave. The pure silk and the Zari motifs are what make it even more expensive.
Chanderi saree
Chanderi Sarees are elegant, soft and gauzy in cotton or in combination of cotton with silk having a gold or silver border and motifs. Chanderies are brilliant to look at, the color harmonies are invariably soft, suitable and reposeful with only a muted whisper of frivolity, gaiety glamour and romance.
Unique Features Are:
Light-weight, has glossy transparency and has a sheer texture.
Cost:
A handwoven plain Chanderi silk cotton saree with a petite Zari selvedge would retail around INR 1000-2000, It takes time and hard work to make such luxurious fabric and motifs. Thus, it’s expensive.
Patola saree
A Patola silk saree is a luxurious and intricate saree made using a double ikat weaving technique, traditionally from the Patan region of Gujarat, India. These sarees are made using silk threads that are first dyed with natural colors and then woven together to create the intricate patterns and designs.
Patola silk sarees are known for their vibrant colors, bold geometric designs, and intricate detailing, which make them highly prized and sought after by saree lovers all over the world.
These sarees are usually worn for special occasions, such as weddings and formal events, and are a beautiful symbol of the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of India.
Unique Features Are:
A Patola silk saree is a luxurious and intricate saree made using a double ikat weaving technique, traditionally from the Patan region of Gujarat, India.
Cost:
Patola saree are made using pure silk, which is a luxurious and expensive fabric. The silk is sourced from the best quality silkworms, and the dyeing process requires the use of natural dyes, which are also costly. Usually, the starting price of a pure silk Patola sari is 50,000 INR and goes up to 3 lakhs.
Pochampally saree
Pochampally sari or Pochampalli ikat is a saree made in Bhoodan Pochampally, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana State, India. They have traditional geometric patterns in “Paagadu Bandhu” (Ikat) style of dyeing. The intricate geometric designs find their way into sarees and dress materials.
The Indian government’s official airplane company, Air India, has its cabin crew wear specially designed Pochampally silk sarees.
Unique Features Are:
Pochampally handlooms are widely known for the durability of the colors that are used in the yarn.
Cost:
It is an affordable one which starts with 1000 and goes on up to lakhs.
Sambalpuri saree
A Sambalpuri sari is a traditional handwoven bandha (ikat) sari (locally called “Sambalpuri bandha” sadhi or saree) wherein the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving. It is produced in the Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Boudh and Sonepur districts of Odisha, India.
The sari is a traditional female garment in the Indian subcontinent consisting of a strip of unstitched cloth ranging from four to nine meters in length that is draped over the body in various styles.
Unique Features Are:
The Warp and the Weft are tie dyed before weaving.
Cost:
The quality of fabrics decides the price of saree
Bandhani saree
The art of Bandhani is a highly skilled process. The technique involves dyeing a fabric which is tied tightly with a thread at several points, thus producing a variety of patterns like Chandrakala, Bavan Baug, Shikari etcetera; depending on the manner in which the cloth is tied.
The main color used in Bandhana are yellow, red, blue, green and black. Each colour is traditionally tied to specific cultural meaning.
Unique Features Are:
Bandhani Sarees refers to a special design pattern that is achieved by the traditional tie-dyeing method.
Cost:
Bandhani Sarees refers to a special design pattern that is achieved by the traditional tie-dyeing method. Hence you can find the saree in affordable price.
Gadwal Saree
Gadwal saree is a handcrafted woven saree style in Gadwal of Jogulamba Gadwal district in the Indian state of Telangana. It was registered as one of the geographical indications from Telangana by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
They are most notable for the Zari on the sarees. The saree consists of a cotton body, silk border, and zari pallu. with silk pallu which is also given a new name Sico sarees. The weave is so light that the saree can be packed in a matchbox. The Brahmotsavams of Tirupati begins with the deity’s idol being adorned with Gadwal Saree.
Unique Features Are:
The unique feature of Gadwal Sarees lies in the interlockings or joints during weaving.
Cost:
A Gadwal saree made from pure silk and fine cotton is more expensive 12, 000 to Rs. 50,000.
Kota Doria Saree
Kota Doria Saree is produced by using cotton & mulberry raw silk yarns in the base fabric whereas Gold and Silver Zari (fine metal threads) yarns in extra warp and extra weft for designing. The cotton yarn provides strength and suppleness whereas fine raw silk makes the fabric transparent and delicate.
Unique Features Are:
Kota Doria Sarees are made of pure cotton and silk and have square like patterns known as khats on them. The chequered weave of a Kota sari is very popular. They are very fine weaves and weigh very little.
Cost:
The Kota doria pure sarees pure cotton varies from Hundred’s, Thousand’s to lakhs.
History tells us that the first sarees were worn in cotton fabric, cultivated in the Subcontinent of India around the 5th millennium BC. Around this time, cotton weaving was a renowned task, and workers started to use ingredients like lac, turmeric and indigo to add vibrant shades to the fabric.
It’s plausible origins date back 5000 years and span vast territory: History The tradition of wrapping unstitched cloth by men and women goes back to the earliest times of the Indian Subcontinent. A shawl draped on the statue of an Indus priest is proof that this tradition began during the Indus Valley period.
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