Ethnic Indian Sarees - Sarees are my passion

The Sacred Lotus, petals on beauty
Lotus(Nelumbo Nucifera) is a very ancient water plant. Lotus is one of the popular motifs used in Indian textiles, motifs are generally inspired by nature, human figures, architecture from buildings and animals so on, this flower occupies a unique place in Indian art, textiles, poetry, literature, religions purposes and mythology of ancient India. Although this flower is rooted in mud, it continues to float on the water even after emerging from the mud, it remains unstained! The flower is represented with both its opening and closing petals indicating the ups and downs of life. In fact many Hindus are infatuated with lotus flowers, Gorgeous Lotus are called by varies names such as Kamal, Tavare-gadde, Motunkamal, Utpala, Pundarika, Tamarai and Padma and are found in white, pink, red, purple and blue are found in Asian countries.

The rich heritage, Prestigious and ageless silk, the Muga
Located on the banks of mighty river Brahmaputra, from few years back Sualkuchi Handloom industry is center for weaving and labor intensive industry for weaving and encompasses cotton textile, silk textile and Khadi fabrics as well and known as the Manchester of the East, Kamrup district of Assam. Sualkuchi is heavenly kingdom for weaving and the looms are found in almost very home in the villages of Assam and depending on the design, patterns and complexity it would take around six or more days to weave one beautiful masterpiece saree. The economy of this place is mainly dependent of handlooms, not only Tanti community of Tantipara are weaving this craft but also other communities like Garo community of Assam, fishermen and Brahmin communities also are engaged in weaving, the official languages are Assamese, Bodo and Bengali and renowned for Assam tea and Assam silk.

Exquisite craftsmanship, the treasured intensity of colorful art
During olden days these sarees were much in demand and loved by aristocratic and royal families. The traditional double ikat Patola which originates from Patan, small little town which is north of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state. Creating designs by tyeing knots on warp and weft, it takes around three to four months to prepare tie and dyed on warp and weft threads for one saree. Patola saree art was much of labour-intensive, with the combined effort of four weavers, it would take anywere around a six months to a year to weave a masterpiece saree from the scratch, its perseverance in doing it from the time of process of dying that is the reason it was too expensive, and was worn only by the royal and upperclass, who were able to pay for opulence.

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 !

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.

This is a video series meant for viewers who are into (or planning to start) Saree Business. So that they understand the customer requirements and customer psychology.

Mind blowing nature, abundant coconut trees, endless backyard greenery, peppercorns, famous backwaters, lush tea and rubber plantation, elegant houseboats, simple and hospitable smile, coffee, cardamom, Kalaripayattu the martial arts, Kutiyattam (theater art), elephants, thundering Kathakali classical Indian dance, Pookalam, coastal foods, Ayurveda, thick forest, richest temples in the world, highest literacy rate in India, traditional taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Naalukettu houses, temple festivals, gigantic western ghats yes it's known as God's Own Country, Kerala!

I never heard of Patteda Anchu Saree before
Well, many of them are not aware of this weave in the same state, it's an irony. Lack of awareness and less usage leads to this stage. It was in the year 2016 I first saw the Patteda Anchu Saree and I was very impressed at the first glance, for its simplicity and minimalistic weave, no woven designs these characteristics caught my attention towards this weave. Being and brought up in Karnataka, I was just familiar with Ilkal Saree, Molakalmuru Saree, KSIC Mysore Silk, Banahatti Saree, Hubli Saree because my mother had these magnificent weaves, and she wore them very often. When I told her about Patteda Anchu Saree, she was astonished and happy to shop one...

Kalamkari or qalamkari is a type of hand-painted or block-printed on a Cotton Textile or Silk Textile. Produced in India, Iran. The Name Originates in Persian, from the words qalam (pen) and kari (craftsmanship), meaning drawing with a pen.

The flamboyant Jute sarees, Sarees are my passion
I always fall in love with natural fibre products one among them is Jute, it is one of the most affordable natural fibres and also called as golden fibre. Jute is one of the versatile fibres, that has been used in raw materials for construction, packaging, textiles, non-textile and extensively used for sacking for agriculture goods. Here is a list of top countries who are producing Jute are India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Brazil and People's Republic of China. There is a great demand for these sarees across the globe and these exquisite sarees are hand-crafted and there might be slight irregularities in weaving which enhances the fabric uniqueness and appeal.

A touch of tradition, Heritage cottons from the city of thousand temples
Colorfully yarns woven on a handloom by the weavers of Tamil Nadu, this sarees hails from the temple city 'Kanchipuram', well Known and called by many names Kanchi, Kanjivaram, Kanjeevaram and Conjevaram. Kancheepuram district is situated on the north east coast of Tamil Nadu. Kanchi cottons are distinguished by beautiful motifs woven, handwoven sarees are soft, airy and yet comfortable. Silk and cotton sarees of Kanchipuram are inspired by the temple designs.

In India local market I heard shop owners saying that we have Best Quality Saree, Best Price Saree, Wholesale Sarees. I always wonder, the educated crowd are they going to shop around on this? definitely, they say no please. The sophisticated group understand what is a plastic made recycled saree(synthetic versions) and authentic ones! They are always towards the art and crafts part end of the day, they read and update themselves.

Simplicity lies the beauty- Toda Embroidery, Sarees are my passion
Tamil Nadu, the famous Mulberry silk called Kanchipuram Silks apart from this one can see magnificent craft called Toda embroidery, which is locally called as Pukhoor. This beautiful embroidery looks very refined as if it is done in a machine but done by beautiful hands, the hues such as charcoal black and pomegranate red with white canvas, what a blend of shades with impressive thread art, its mind-blowing!

Roots of Karnataka 'Molakalmuru', Connecting Old is Gold
Living in the world of fast-moving fashion, where designer Ruffle Sarees takes a runway show stopper pace, I see the 'contrast' the traditional and the modern world. In India, especially when you focus on South India, Karnataka when we take a slice of the pie, the elder generation(mothers or grandmothers) still wear evergreen beauties like Ilkal, Udupi, Banhatti cotton sarees on a day to day bases, depending on the cultural belief system and comfort zone.

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 !

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.

Pochampally sarees are sheer delight for women!
Magnificent Pochampally saree is called by varies names such as Pogudubandhu or Pochampalli Ikat, is a saree crafted in Bhoodan Pochampally, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana State, India. Pochampally, the village was renamed to Bhoodan Pochampally. This small traditional handloom village magnificently showered and surrounded by hills, lush green fields, temples, Pochampally makes up for an exciting destination to spend one’s heart. This village is around 45Km away from Hyderabad.Telangana is one of the ancient Ikat weaving centers in India.Pochampally Ikat sarees was mainly popularized during 80's.Pochampally silk saree boasts of blending comfort and popularly known as tie and dye weave, one can see century old traditional looms here.

Exotic fragrance of Jasmine and my luxurious Chanderi
Chanderi town is a highly renowned for its rich heritage, surrounded by hills southwest of the Betwa River in Ashoknagar district, Madhya Pradesh state, India Well known for the handwoven traditional sarees, these are mostly popular for the elite class and favorable choice of Queens in India as they are a bit expensive and one can see major center of Jain culture. Artisan community involved in the production of Chanderi silk, a diverse mix of various communities namely Kohlis and the Muslim Julaha community. Traditional weaving culture was available during 13th century, Initially, the weavers were Muslims, later in 1350 the Koshti weavers from Jhansi migrated to Chanderi and settled here, during the Mughal period, Chanderi fabric business been recognize and started booming. The production of Chanderi has been protected by India as a Geographic Indication (GI).

I've never heard before Madurai Cotton Saree?
A couple of years back when I traveled to the ancient city Madurai, I visited this historic Hindu temple called Meenakshi Amman temple in Tamil Nadu, the architecture and the art impressed me! In the temple streets, I had a glance of wonderful cotton sarees which was showcased, I knew before visiting Madurai about Sungadi cotton sarees, but you get to see other versions of saree which not much many of them are aware in that place, basically it is a simple cotton saree in contrast shade.

Plain weaves for lazy Summer afternoons
One of the most traditional sarees which I had seen apart from Ilkal saree is Hubli cotton sarees, due extreme humidity generally localities adore this saree for daily bases. This is one of the simple weaves but I totally in love with this saree, the texture of the saree is so soft due to the high count of cotton yarn used.