Bollywood star Sonakshi Sinha had a beautiful Ranjhanaa moment on her wedding day with the saree she wore to the wedding reception. A beautiful red Banarasi silk saree, this traditional outfit highlighted her traditional roots and showcased the timeless beauty of Banarasi silk on her big day, where she chose elegance and royalty.
In the recent wedding seasons, we have noticed trends setting the mark for traditional looks, especially Banarasi sarees, are going viral all over India. Where all the girlies rocked modern lehengas, Alia Bhatt went back in history and wore a 160-year-old woven Ashavali saree and a real Zari silk saree; she absolutely nailed the ethnic look. Check out our beautiful collections of Zari silk Banarasi sarees at Laxha Clothing.
What is so special about Banarasi silk sarees?
Banarasi sarees are most beautiful and have royal elegance, which is most loved by Indian women. These sarees originate from the city of Varanasi (Banaras), which is one of the oldest cities in the world, so these sarees hold rich culture and traditions in each and every piece. As Varanasi is filled with spirituality and culture, it adds a richer heritage as a symbol of excellence in art and skilled craftsmanship in the making of silk sarees.
It is also said that a pure Banarasi saree has 5600 incoming thread wires in it. Real gold and silver threads were used for each of the pure Banarasi sarees, and it was said that the whole process could take as many as two months or more to complete a single master piece.
What is the variety of fabrics in Banarasi sarees?
- Pure Silk (Katan): The most popular and traditional fabric, known for its luxurious texture and shine
- Organza (Kora) with Zari and Silk: A crisp, sheer fabric that holds intricate patterns well and has a light, airy feel.
- Georgette: A lightweight, sheer fabric that drapes beautifully and is used for more modern designs.
The fabric used in making Banarasi sarees is pure silk, zari, and gold threadwork, making them very attractive. The weaving technique, like the Meenakari weave, adds different colours for a dramatic effect, and the Kadwa technique involves weaving for each design separately with great precision and detail.
Designs of Banarasi sarees
The Banarasi sarees are made of excellent silk and have complex designs, making them the perfect choice for special occasions. These sarees are typically red or green in shade, with gold or silver embroidery. The designs on Banarasi sarees are normally floral or geometric shapes, and the sarees are regularly decorated with sequins, beads, and other decorations.
Let me tell you a fun fact that will help you identify which Banarasi saree is real or not.
Firstly, you can check if your saree corner has small pinhole marks on it or not. If yes, then your saree is made on HANDLOOM only and not by using a machine.
Secondly, there is the burning test. Yes, by burning the thread, we can tell the difference between artificial silk and pure silk. If you burn the thread and it smells like burning plastic and what is left is sticky ash, then it is not pure silk, whereas when pure silk is burned, it is similar to burning hair and producing brittle ash.
Next, if your saree is made of pure silk, it is always heavy, and you feel soft when you touch it compared to semi-silk sarees.
