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WeaverStory truly appreciates the value of art, the craftsmanship of the best artists of Varanasi, and the importance of incredible, heirloom-worthy fabrics admired by people from all over the world. This is one of the reasons why WeaverStory takes great pride in providing clients with high-quality fabrics that leave a lasting impression on everyone in the room! At WeaverStory, you can find the most exquisite Banarasi Sarees in materials such as pure Katan silk, pure silk tissue, silk tissue organza, and more.
While we make it easier for you to find some of the best, heirloom-worthy weaves of India at our store and online, it is also important for you to understand why sarees like
The Spellbinding Tale of the Bewitching Banarasi Saree
One of the most inestimably loved fabrics of India, the Banarasi Silk Saree, has subtly transformed from an exquisite draping silhouette of the royals to an extraordinarily beautiful piece of art making waves in the modern fashion industry. These Banarasi Saree are often sought after for their impressive, intricate design, unrivalled splendor, and elegance that you would find in no other fabric!
The Birth of Banarasi: It All Began Here...
The fascinating tale of the Banarasi Silk Saree will remain incomplete if we fail to mention its origins. Uttar Pradesh, a North Indian state, is famed for its exquisite production of traditional silk sarees, each of which can be particularly distinguished based on weave, motif, and texture. The Banarasi Saree, one of the most expensive sarees in India, prides itself on being one of the most prized possessions for people across the globe. Varanasi, also known as "Banaras", is an ancient city most admired by spiritual seekers and Banarasi Saree lovers. From an exquisite Banarasi Katan silk saree to fantastic Banarasi saree blouse , everything is handcrafted by the finest craftsmen of Varanasi.
These Banarasi Saree are highly popular due to their finely woven silk, incredibly intricate artwork created using gold and silver zari work, and the detailing that goes into making an impeccable design. Even with increasing advancements in technology and the availability of machinery that could make the work a lot easier for the craftsmen, the master artisans of Varanasi still choose to revive the hand-weaving techniques to make some of the finest Banarasi silk sarees.
The History of the Banarasi Saree
"Banaras" was previously a world-renowned center for handcrafted textile products and has a long tradition of creating fabrics that have been used throughout the history of Indian culture. Undoubtedly, history and art are inextricably linked. However, it is unfortunate that the records of ancient art and craft seem to be either obscure or challenging to find. Similarly, the origin of Banarasi silk is unclear. It is obvious that it took hundreds of years and generations of knowledge and expertise to refine Banarasi silk into the state it is in now.
The illustrious legacy of the weavers of Banaras can be traced back all the way to mentions in literary masterpieces like the Rig Veda, Tales of Jataka, Pali literature, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and more. The Mughal Empire was responsible for introducing India to the world's finest weaving and intricately designed Banarasi Silk.The influence of the Mughal Empire is quite evident and can be seen through the Persian motifs that are frequently used in creating a masterpiece Banarasi saree.
With its growing popularity, the masterful minds of the Indians, and the exceptional expertise of the weavers, Varanasi soon developed into a textile hub for the region. As the silk industry began flourishing, so did the city. Just as now, people earlier visited the ancient city to touch, feel, and cherish the experience of draping the exquisite Banarasi Saree. Banarasi sarees pioneered the creation of artistic masterpieces in the realms of silk and sarees. The Banarasi saree was highly prized by the royals and was worn by queens and princesses. The opulence of the Banarasi sarees has not faded since then; instead, it has continued to flourish.
The Banarasi Saree of Modern-Day India
Even today, sarees are the most sought-after pieces of apparel most elegantly adorned by a woman. Every Indian woman regards the Banarasi saree as a symbol of royalty, luxury, and exemplary elegance and treasures it as her most prized possession. The Banarasi Saree in modern India has often been a handpicked selection for weddings. A stylish bridesmaid often opts for a Banarasi saree for wedding. After all, who doesn’t want to steal the show at her best friend’s wedding? Not just the bridesmaids, even brides who desire to add a touch of class, royalty and luxury to the wedding outfit choose a Banarasi Silk Saree for wedding. A classic red Banarasi saree such as the
Handloom Red Pure Katan Silk Banarasi Saree With Intricate Meenakari by WeaverStory is often picked by the brides with a desire to make a jaw-dropping entrance at the wedding, along with exuding a vintage vibe with a hint of royalty and sheer elegance. The imperial beauty of the Banarasi saree today is often draped into fusion-wear attire such as a pant saree or a saree with a belt. Regardless of which, the unrivalled charm of the Banarasi saree still manages to steal the spotlight.
*Fun fact: The weaving art of creating the Banarasi Saree faced a significant threat from the competing machine-driven industry, which did not require craftsmen for weaving. However, according to the 2009 ruling, sarees or brocades from any place outside the six districts of Azamgarh, Bhadohi, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Mirzapur, and Varanasi are ineligible for selling under the esteemed title of Banarasi sarees and silks.
Well, that’s us wrapping up the fascinating tale of the Banarasi silk sarees. We hope you liked the glimpse into its origin. Don’t forget to explore our exquisite collection of WeaverStory Banarasi Sarees exclusively brought to you right from the finest craftsmen of India. Stay tuned to learn more and enter the world of the finest weavings of India!
Author: Simran Shaikh
