Kanchipuram Silk Saree

Kanchipuram Silk Sarees

                                                                                                                                EVOLUTION OF KANCHIPURAM SAREES

The Kanchipuram silk sari is one of the biggest production centre of pure silk handlooms in Tamil Nadu, India. Specially these saris are worn for bridal & special occasion saris by most women in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh.

Kanchipuram silk sarees are exclusively known for their rich gold borders, traditional designs, and dense fabric in contrast colours. Kanchipuram saris woven with heavy silk and gold cloth are considered to be special and are worn on occasions and festivities 

It has been recognized as a Geographical indication by the Government of India in 2005–2006.

 DESIGNS:

Temple borders, checks, stripes and floral are traditional designs found on a Kanchipuram sari. The patterns and designs in the Kanchipuram saris were inspired with images and scriptures in South Indian temples or natural features like leaves, birds and animals. These saris are woven with rich pallu shows the paintings of Ravi Verma and epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

They are done with rich work material used in zari are gold thread.

Geographical Indication (GI) stricture stipulates that the decorative zari must have at least 57% silver and 0.6% gold in it.

 WEAVING:

A Kanchipuram saree is woven from pure mulberry silk thread. The mulberry silk comes from South India and the thread or zari create borders and designs come from Gujarat.

The weavers use three shuttles when weaving a Kanchipuram silk saree. There is an assistant of the weaver who works on the left side of the shuttle while the weaver himself works on the right side.  This process makes the yarn thicker and stiffer lending it strength and texture. The thread is then interlocked with a thin silver wire zari yarn, followed by a gold thread or zari and thence begins the process. Thus fabric produced, is extremely durable and strong, especially when the metallic yarn is used a plenty. However this can make the saree as heavy as up to 2 kilos – plus quite expensive, especially when yarns in real silver, gold   are used

 Identification Of Original:

One of the best test is the burn test where you need to burn few threads of the silk and it should get burnt with the smell of a burnt hair. The ash produced is black, crispy and brittle. If it is so, you are looking at a pure Kanchipuram silk saree. During this test Burn slowly, do not melt. It shrinks from the flame. It has the odour of charred meat. The residue is a black, hollow irregular bead that can be easily to a gritty, grayish-black ash powder. If the saree has been made using artificial fibres, there will be no ash upon burning and you will see a flare that is common upon burning such fibres. There will not be a smell of burning hair in this case.

If you have already purchased the saree, you can get its zari tested at Zari test facility established by the government in Kanchipuram

Real silk is completely smooth to touch, with a soft and almost waxy feeling, further to that, if you scrunch it up a bit in your hand, you will hear a crunching noise that sound should tell you that it's the real deal. 

Silk develops far less wrinkles than other fabrics, even if it does the wrinkles are easy to remove use hair dryer, steamer or an iron can used to turn your clothing wrinkle-free.

                                                                                                                                Simple Factors to Define Pure Kanchi Silk Saree:

• Check for Silk Hallmark that plays the important part
• Check the Colour Palette where Kanchipuram sarees will have different colour for Body and Pallu
• Touch and feel the softness of silk by moving your hands over the entire saree and feel its softness before purchasing a Kanchipuram silk sarees 
• No Colour Fading
• Weaving Patterns shows the unique of Kanchipuram sarees
• Rub the saree where the actual Kanchipuram sarees feel slightly warmer when massaged using your hands.
• Heavy is Real means mostly the kanchi silk comes with heavy weight that shows the work of the weaver part, less weight are mostly fake one in kanchi silk wise
• Zari Scratch Test

  Interesting facts in Saree Draping Styles:

• Trending way is to wear the saree with an open pallu style. If you can manage this gorgeous silk saree in an open pallu from the shoulder, do try this.
• Try this type of wearing a saree in these days is by adding a silk dupatta
• If you want to highlight your pallu then go with the Mumtaz style draping style
• Another interesting way is to pleat the pallu and pin it Then bring the tip of the pallu that hangs at the back to the front and tuck it near the belly.
• If the Kanchipuram has a very nice and elaborate pallu that you want to show off on the front rather than the back, then do it the Gujarati style
• If you want this special saree to give you a royal and regal look, or simply stand out, then you can also drape it in a way involving the pallu to look more like how one puts a dupatta across the neck. when styling or draping a Kanchipuram are any other silk saree, keep certain things in mind remember it is a very heavy saree with very traditional designs, so don't deviate too much to make it look trendy                                                                                                               

 MAINTANCE AND CARE:

   Washing:

   Do not wash the saree with soap in the beginning

   After two are three plain water wash use good soap and clean quickly

   Wash pallu and border separately in the beginning

   Do not bundle and keep wet for a long time

   Advice to wash heavily starched silk sarees within a year

   Do not belt the silk sarees

   Use medium iron, the colour will never run if the above instructions are  followed properly

   The best part is to unfold the saree and change the folding.

 Gentle Care:

Before keeping your silk sarees in the wardrobe, always wrap it up with a cotton cloth or paper and then store.

For silk sarees, always make sure that the part of the saree is folded inwards so that its shine is maintained.

If your silk saree is unused then make sure to show it some sunlight within every six months. Take it out from your wardrobe and show it some low sunlight for few hours and then store it back, this will help in maintaining its colour and shine.

Do not store your silk sarees with other fabric sarees like chiffon, polyester or georgette.

Never store your silk sarees on a metal hanger, as the metal can leave its stain on your expensive silk saree

Best way to take care of silk saree dry cleaning them at regular intervals.

Avoid washing your silk sarees at home.