TALES 》 Banahatti Cotton Sarees

Meticulously tying the bonds of colorful junction
Bandhani is derived from Sanskrit word, bandh known as to-tie and patterns, colours are limitless. Wondering what are the varies names to Bandhani? called and known by varies names such as Bandhej, Piliya, Ghar Chola, Patori, Bandhni and in Tamil Nadu its known as Sungudi. Khatri of Kutch and Saurashtra community involved in making this colorful art since ages. Places in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Sikar, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Tamil Nadu and Jamnagar in Gujarat are the well known centers producing odhnis, sarees and turbans in Bandhani.

Banjara Embroidery-Stunning piece of art, Sarees are my passion
I am huge fan of Banjara jewelry which are antique yet collectables, their most flamboyant and mind-blowing costumes one goes crazy and highly appreciated, they still follow the rich and age old traditional art forms, which are been reflected in their art work, especially hand embroidery requires lot of time and patience and its laborious. These tribes speak Lamani language/Goar-boali it is also called as Banjari language. One can see Banjara tribes in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat in these places they are widely spread across.

A Coastal town, situated in Prakasam District in the state of Andhra Pradesh called Chirala, this town was also known as 'Kshirapuri'. Chirala town is renowned for handlooms. Years passed by, the town gained popularity for its excellent handloom sarees known for the softness and durability. The name Chirala means Saree in Telugu and so eventually the name of the town got transformed to Chirala. Main occupation of this village is handloom weaving and paddy cultivation.

My Trousseau, Kanchipuram silk Saree
Kanchipuram is also known as Kanchi/Kachiped/Kancheepuram. Kanchipuram is a district in the northeast of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Kanchipuram nickname is called as The City of Thousand Temples and served as the capital city of the Pallava Kingdom.
The south Indian women are not complete without a lustrous Kanchipuram saree. With bright contrasting borders. During occasions such as Diwali (or Deepavali), Pongal, weddings and festivals, only Upper-caste families used to purchase of many silk saris. Current trends on Kanchipuram sarees, silver is being used in addition to gold. The famous 'Kamakshi Amman Temple' is a must if you are visiting Kanchipuram place the deity here is Parvati.

Here is a list of various Cotton and Silk Sarees from different parts of India.

Blessed Sungadi cotton sarees by Madurai Meenakshi
On the banks of charming 'Vaigai river' the beautiful Madurai city is localled, the district, in Tamil Nadu state, India, this place is referred and called by various names 'Madurai', 'Koodal', 'Malligai Maanagar', 'Naanmadakoodal' and 'Thirualavai'. During 16th century due to economic crisis weavers from 'Saurashtra' and 'Gujarat' migrated to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states and some of them settled down in inviting 'Madurai'. These 'Saurashtrians' are highly skilled manufacturers of beautifully crafted fine silk garments and were patronized by Kings and their families, they were called by 'Patnulkarans' the Tamil name by which these people is well known in southern India.

Opulent craftsmanship, Uppada Jamdani saree
The rich and colorful yarns pepping around, splashy Uppada, is a beach town in east Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh state, Indian. Road trip, it just takes thirty minutes drive to reach Kakinada from Uppada town, also known for fishery station for Prawns, fishes here. Fascinating beautifully handwoven sarees known as Uppada sarees are famous and these sarees were named after Uppada village. Handloom industry has retained the age old rich tradition of hand weaving in our country. Padmasali community is the major caste here engaged in the weaving of these wonderful sarees, which are very artistic, a blend of zari work is a add-on to give a charm to the saree. Proud to the state, Uppada Jamdani Sarees, gets geographical indication.

Mangalagiri Sarees and Fabrics are produced by performing handicraft weaving in Mangalagiri, a town in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.Mangalgiri was always known for its pilgrimage importance because of the famous temple of Lord Panakala Narasimha Swamy that is located in the heart of the town. Mangalgiri located 12 kms away from Vijayawada. It was registered as one of the handicraft in the geographical indication from Andhra Pradesh by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, in the year 1999.

Immersed in traditional spun
A hint of tradition, one of the classy handloom saree from Odisha state called Bomkai sarees, these sarees are also called by Sonepuri sarees, produced in the village of Bomkai in Ganjam district, India. Bomkai sarees is named after the village Bomkai. The community who is involved in weaving these handloom sarees are 'Bhulia' community of Subarnapur district. GI tag is been provided for 'Bomkai Saree & Fabrics'. People here are very friendly, medium of communication here is Odia.

Two main reasons why people go to Kanchipuram is firstly to Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple to take blessings from her, which is the most important shakti peetha temples in India and secondly to SHOP SHOP and SHOP again for all the stunning bride, for a BIG fat Indian wedding. Kanchivaram is a traditional silk saree from south India and each and every house would have endless collections of these pattu sarees. Basically, pattu means in regional Tamil language silk. Korvai is one of the complex technique used to weave Kanchipuram silk sarees, not all sarees which are woven in Kanchipuram are Korvai.

Venkatagiri sarees or Rajamatha sarees.
Venkatagiri is a small town situated in Nellore district, Andhra pradesh state, India. History of venkatagiri sarees dates back to 1700s, during the rule of Venkatagiri, the masterweaver handcrafted these sarees, specially curated for queens, royal ladies and zamindaris. These sarees were purchased for such handsome amounts that the weavers could survive with that sum of money for almost a year until they got their next order. Exclusive designs were made by the weavers on special order for the upper class only. Much of a boost and encouragement given to these sarees, by the Velugoti dynasty of Nellore and also by the Bobbili and Pithapuram dynasties, back then.

Romance in Moonlight is one of my handpicked saree for my 'Reception' during my wedding, what I really love about this saree is the hues are just apt since it was an evening event. I had a personal perception I would look short, but I'm 'neither tall' nor 'short', I picked this saree for the combination of colors, the peacocks, they generally call this variety of saree as 'No border' or 'Without border' designer saree, all I had in my mind was I would look a bit taller and this saree really did justice for what I wanted.

Immersed in traditional spun
A hint of tradition, one of the classy handloom saree from Odisha state called Bomkai sarees, these sarees are also called by Sonepuri sarees, produced in the village of Bomkai in Ganjam district, India. Bomkai sarees is named after the village Bomkai. The community who is involved in weaving these handloom sarees are 'Bhulia' community of Subarnapur district. GI tag is been provided for 'Bomkai Saree & Fabrics'. People here are very friendly, medium of communication here is Odia.

One of my vintage collection from Tamil Nadu is Kanchipuram Double Border Saree, it is a Beige color as you can see in the portrait and do check out for an overall look of the saree in my video of as well. It has that charm of subtle look yet gives that opulence. In a nutshell, I can say it's the best match for your temple wedding( muhurtham silk saree) gives that complete finish of that traditional look and feel with antique temple jewelry. This is my one of my wedding saree as well which I had shopped for which has a 'Double Border' the first border is bottle green in color with thread work and the second border is a blend of Zari( Gold, deep maroon and bottle green) as well. This saree credit goes to my dad since he selected this wonderful piece of art. When I go deep about this saree, the base of the saree has the emboss stamp a design(beige color) with leaf and other elements as well and when it comes to the pallu area it has Swan's bird motifs.

Why Handpicked sarees are sold like hotcakes?
It was one of the most humid days of summer in March, Bangalore and all of a sudden earthy mud smell ha being 'Taurus' sun sign I really love to play in the mud, and with natures basket, it might also include rain as well and slightly it drizzled it was first rainfall of a season and I had this topic in mind for a long time, having a cup of green tea to refresh me, so now so let's get started.

How to identify a genuine Mysore Silk Saree
Flooded with an unlimited supply of so-called duplicate, replicated and imitation Mysore silk sarees in the local wholesale market saying it is a pure Mysore silk saree, how far it is true? let us just imagine a current per gram gold price is said three thousand and above, so in original Mysore silk saree, they use extensively use gold and silver zari, how can you get a Mysore silk saree worth less than a ten thousand(INR)? This is a logically based question that many fail to think before you invest and spend your hard earned money on fake silk sarees.

The most simplistic and minimalist hidden weaves from Karnataka is Banahatti Cotton Saree. I just loved the texture of the fabric, it's like linen saree? I don't know what more can I say about this saree. Well it is more deserved to seen in my Youtube video, do check it out !

The Khadi, revamping the versatile fabric, Sarees are my passion
If we have the khadi spirit in us, then we would surround ourselves with simplicity in every walk of life - by Mahatma Gandhi
Khadi is also known as khaddar, it is Handwoven natural fiber cloth, this cloth is usually woven from cotton and may also include wool, silk, which are all spun into yarn on a spinning wheel called charkha. This fine spun khadi is known for softness, when one starts to wear this saree definitely will be hooked on this fabric, no matter its summer or spring, Khadi is not only used as fashion statement these days but are often seen as markers of particular communities, groups and towns.