Story of Banarasi Sarees
History of Banaras
The very first signs of human establishment as Kashi were found around the time of Aryan settlement in the middle Ganges valley. Not only is it one of the oldest human settlements, since its existence it is known for art, craft, music, dance, and a long list of religious ceremonies.
The tales of Banarasi silk and brocades with gold and silver threads are recited by many traders and users; wooden toys, glass, ivory, brass bracelets, and handloom goods showcasing the intricate work of weavers and artisans are amongst the other attractions in Banaras.
Zari and Brocade textiles are the specialties of the city. The first mention of these royal fabrics can be found in nineteenth-century literature. Gujarati silk weavers migrated to Kashi(as known then) in the seventeenth century after the famine of 1603. As the migration happened, a new environment for weavers gave way to many innovations, and by the nineteenth century, the city flourished as the region’s textile capital. The development of brocade and zari works in the city reached new heights during the Mughal period, especially during the reign of emperors such as Akbar.
While we at Banarasisaree.com enable weavers to sell their intricate work on fabrics in form of Banarasi suits and Banarasi sarees, online, we at the same time are working towards preserving these fables.
History of Banaras’s Handloom Industry
During the Mughal period, around the fourteenth century, Panara craftsmen began to make their presence felt by developing unique and intricate silk fabrics using golden and silver zari yarns. Banarasi tapestry began to gain more recognition and develop its expertise during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These sarees are among the finest sarees in India and are known for their gold, silver, or zari motifs, fine silk, and sumptuous hand weaving. The silk sarees are made of delicately woven silk and are embellished with an intricate design, and because of these engravings, the silk sarees have occupied a prominent place in the market.
Its special features are Mughal-inspired designs such as the intricate interwoven foliage floral motifs, calga, and bell; a series of vertical leaves called jahlhar on the outside, or the rim fringe is a feature of these sarees. Other features include gold work, narrow texture, shapes with small details, metallic visual effects, paleness, gal (web-like pattern), and enamel work.
History of weavers
India as a country is known globally for its diversity and rich cultural heritage. Banaras, or more commonly now known as Varanasi, have been among the cities that have laid the foundation of India’s cultural heritage. With stories of weavers, and artisans, dating back to 5000 years and beyond there are many stories that have gone untold.
The tales weaved over sarees, suits, or other fabrics are inspired by real-life stories and are an eclectic combination of the fabric, weaver’s imagination, and real-life events from our adages. Raw cotton, silk, khadi, and linen are applied to the thread to accentuate the dynamism in the shape of the fabric.
Banaras is known for its worldwide social, economic, and religious significance. The city is equally important as a center for brocade weaving throughout the country. The textile industry, which flourished during the Vedic period and reached its zenith in the polar period, explains how the act of weaving was an integral part of the lives of the people of Banaras. Whether it was a religious activity or a source of livelihood for the population, weaving activity transcended all other professions. From a historical perspective, the textile industry has found a place from Vedic literature to post-independence India.
Since the time of Rig Vedic, we have heard of different types of textiles among which is the golden cloth (Hiranya) which stands out as a distinct type, used by the deity in his radiant grandeur, while driving his majestic chariots. We also find specific references to embroidery in the Vedic literature.