Varanasi, once known as Banaras, resonates with a rich tapestry of Banaras Crafts, Culture, Mythology, and history that spans ancient times.
This city is a living testament to enduring traditions and customs, where the echoes of the past still hold sway.
Renowned as Varanasi today, it remains a sacred haven, imbued with spiritual fervor, echoing the same reverence and atmosphere that nurtured its crafts and arts, notably seen in the illustrious Banarasi sarees.
Crafted from pure silk, these sarees, once woven with threads of gold or silver, stand as timeless symbols of elegance and tradition.
Banaras is famous for its silk fabrics sarees and spiritual events like festivals and river ceremonies along the Ganges.
Besides these, it also has many other crafts that might not get as much attention, like woodwork, pottery, paintings, metal crafts, and more.
These crafts play a big role in Banaras’ economy alongside its silk industry and Banaras Crafts.
Banaras paintings capture the essence of rituals, culture, and tradition. Many consider them among the finest artworks to bring home after a visit.
You’ll also find vibrant folk art adorning the streets alongside handicrafts like clay pottery, toys, and woodcraft.
The Textiles of Banaras are forgotten to be from Banaras
- Banaras textiles often get overlooked in their association with the city itself.
- The Banarasi sarees, integral to an Indian bride’s wardrobe, are worn at weddings and special occasions, showcasing intricate golden and silver zari work woven into silk fabrics.
- These Types of sarees come in various weaving styles, showcasing motifs and borders such as kinkhwab and jangla work, among others, highlighting the richness of silk.
- Nowadays, these exquisite wedding sarees are easily available for purchase online, showcasing their opulence at places like G3fashion.com.
1) Tanchoi Sarees of Banaras
- Tanchoi, originating as a silk weaving pattern in China, made its way to Gujarat before being adopted in Varanasi to produce more affordable versions of these opulent silk sarees.
- These sarees possess a moderate appearance despite their intricate border patterns.
- Crafted from a blend of satin, they feature silk yarns woven in the crosswise direction, giving them a shiny and lightweight quality, hence known as the Tanchoi Banaras saree.
2) Tissue silk sarees
- Lighter silk yarns and zari buttis are skillfully woven together to create tissue silk sarees in Banaras. However, there’s another type of saree from Banaras that isn’t as widely recognized as being crafted here.
3) (Kora) Organza sarees
- Varanasi is renowned for crafting cotton organza sarees blended with silk—a perfect choice ranging from semi-formal to wedding attire.
- These sarees feature golden borders and panels, yet this lesser-known textile craft of Varanasi remains unfamiliar to many, adding to the city’s array of forgotten textile traditions.
4) Sarees with Metal Embellishments
- Banarasi sarees are famed for their lavish use of zari, a type of metal thread, which gives them their opulent and renowned appearance.
- Alongside these, there are sarees adorned with metalwork such as sequins and zardosi, enhancing their bridal appeal.
5) Jamdani sarees
Jamdani, a weaving method utilizing cotton threads to create horizontal patterns and motifs, is crafted here in more affordable versions.
6) Block-Printed Sarees in Tussar Silk
Derived from the city’s ancient artistic heritage, block printing adorns sarees, particularly in tussar silk. These sarees exhibit traditional patterns through block printing, representing a forgotten yet significant textile art.
Today, the industry has evolved, with designers bridging the gap between ancient artistry and modern fashion for Banaras Crafts. These creations feature a fusion of traditional threads, zari, motifs, and patterns in innovative concepts for contemporary appeal.
Hey i never thought that these oraganza sari was also a popular weave of Beneras. And i love the surrounding and spiritual feel of the city. Good work
Thanks Nikita, that’s true organza weaved sarees are a part of Benaras, just seemed to be forgotten. Catch more updates on fashion What, where, who, how.