Weddings have a prominent place in the Indian way of life and the traditional saree assumes significance for such a grand event. The wedding saree with all its finery and trappings is specially designed and created for the memorable occasion when vows are exchanged, new relationships are created and a fresh journey into life begins for the wedded couple.
The saree is traditional attire for most Indian women; a national heritage that has also assumed the level of a fashion statement. Indian weddings are special occasions when the saree is displayed in all its dimensions of variety, finery, opulence and one-upmanship. Silk has always been a popular fabric yarn in India where mulberry and other forms of silk are cultivated. Traditionally silk handloom sarees have always been used for special occasions like weddings, traditional festivals and as bridal attire. Nowadays parties, important social events, corporate functions are also occasions meant for the use of silk handlooms.
South Handloom Silks are famous for their soft feel, rich thread work, attractive motifs and patterns, contrast borders in a wide range of vibrant colours. No wedding or anniversary function is possible, even today, without the Silk ‘Pattu’ sarees being on display. The bride, the women in the family, relatives, guests who attend, all appear in their resplendent silk sarees of different varieties or traditional styles. It is a fine display of new incorporations of designs, patterns, colours and adorning features like zardozi, ari, gota and other forms of embroidery, kundan work, mirror work, chamki work etc. There are very many traditional silk handlooms in the south like Mysore, Kanjeevaram, Dharmavaram, Arani, Rasipuram, Venkatagiri, Coimbatore, Pochampally, Narayanpet, Bangalore, Uppada, Gadwal, Mangalagiri Silks.
Bangalore and Mysore in Karnataka, India, are famous for their individual brands of silk, especially the Mysore variety, which has since long been cherished for its unique qualities. Kanchipuram or Kanjeevaram Sarees have a special place in the fabric world. The Kanchipuram Silks are made of pure silk, with motifs having zari of silk threads dipped in liquid gold and silver. The appeal of the Kanjeevaram Silks lie in the elegant broad borders with colours and designs different from that of the body. Typical motifs are sun, moon, peacock, swan, lion and mango. Themes like jasmine flowers scattered between boundaries, parallel lines running across or temple structures are also popular.
Similarly in Northern India, the Banarasi Saree with its traditional decorative finery and extremely rich zari work in pure gold is a necessary part of the wedding, the sangeet ceremony, the mehandi rasm, the reception and other grand occasions like parties, festivals like Deepawali, Dushhera, Holi etc. Chanderi Silks of Madhya Pradesh (MP), are known for their sheer quality, fine texture and marvellous work in art and design. Chanderi Silks have zari brocades with embroidery of different patterns as Zari, Zardosi, Ari, Gota, Chikan, to name a few. Tussar Silk, also known as ‘Kosa’ Silk is ‘wild silk’, of a deep golden colour and good texture. Hand-woven Tussar Silk fabrics are well known for their zari borders, motifs and the hand crafted designs that enrich them.
In the East you have Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, silks of the North Eastern states, which are a necessary part of weddings. Assam Silks are made from Muga (golden silk), Mulberry Silk or Eri Silk and have zari work or multi-coloured threads with patterns like fruits, flowers, diamonds, animals, birds as motifs. Meghalaya in the North East of India is well known place for its handloom woven fabrics. Eri or endi silk and mulberry silk are the raw materials used in silk handloom weaving. Meghalaya silks are known for their durability and texture. Meghalaya silk sarees offer canvas for beautiful eye-catching patterns of zari in zardozi, chikan, ari and gota. Fashion prints of batik, block, bandhini lehriya enhance the beauty of Meghalaya fabric. Adornments with kundans, beads, and pearls add to the allure of the Meghalaya Silk fabric.
Bengal is famous for its handloom silk saris. It is fine, smooth, of good texture, airy and light on the body. Popular for its comfort the Bengal Silks are preferred in colours of red, green, yellow, blue and their shades. Silk brocade designs suited to the base colour, are decorated with attractive motifs. Jamdhani hand weaving is a necessary accompaniment for Bengal fabrics where cotton and gold thread weaving create motifs of geometric patterns and floral designs in colourful hues. Dhania Khali and thangail are popular weaving styles. Nature, the sun, the moon and stars are some of the popular motifs.
Modern fashion has ushered in fusion of traditional with trending wherein designer sarees with latest designs are printed on traditional weaves and incorporations of embroidery, patch work and other embellishments contribute in making the resulting fabric a grand affair; a lifetime possession to be jealously treasured and brought out for appearing at one’s best during grand public functions.
Weddings are a necessary part of life and celebrated with pomp and splendour in all parts of the world, but Indian weddings are a special occasion for the Indian society at large to come out in numbers and spend their time in celebrations and revelry. So too, do the silk saris of grandeur find their place of pride in the Indian wedding and other such occasions.
Unnati Silks has trendy designs, attractive patterns, in vivid colours and pleasing combinations in its varied collection of Wedding Wear Silk and Designer Sarees. Unnati is a one stop store for 300 + varieties of ethnic sarees and salwar kameeez. Dispatch is within 24 hours of order. Free delivery & COD is provided for retail. Worldwide express shipping caters to most countries across the world.
Contact:
UNNATI SILK PRINTS PVT. LTD, #3-4-360, Vajra Complex, General Bazar (Tobacco Bazar), M.G.Road, Hyderabad-500003.AP,India.
040-64555251 or 97000 57744.
