Gharchola Sari from Gujarat with Zari-Woven Elephants and Peacocks

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Colors:

Safari

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100% Handmade

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MADE IN INDIA.

Gharchola Sari from Gujarat with Zari-Woven Elephants and Peacocks

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Name: Gharchola Sari from Gujarat with Zari-Woven Elephants and Peacocks
Brand: Exotic India
SKU: SDQ48
Price: 80.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$69

$92

25% off

Includes any tariffs and taxes

Gharchola is an auspicious wedding staple from Gujarat and Rajasthan since many years. As the name says, ‘Ghar’ means home and ‘Chola’ means clothing, this apparel is mostly worn by newly wedded bride as a warm welcome blessing by everyone to her new home (husband’s home). It originated from the Khambat region of Gujarat and is said to be a sub-set of Bandhani; popular in mostly bright colors of red, green, pink, yellow etc and worn as a chunari over head and shoulders by the new bride.

As shown on this page, gharchola is crafted in checkered patterns that are filled with small zari woven elephants, peacocks and floral motifs. The attractive floral woven border and a double shade pallu mark the advent of contemporary gharcholas. Its making is an intricate and time consuming process that can take upto 7-12 days to finish a single masterpiece.

Those visible on this page are crafted in lighted hues with plain zari for those who wish to opt for traditional as well as elegant richness at the same time; mostly made in venkatgiri cotton and in a blend of cotton and silk. These saris are a must buy to have a unique wardrobe of different styles and tastes.

Color:

Safari

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Specifications

	SDQ48
	Art Silk
	Blouse/Underskirt Tailormade to Size

Delivery and Return Policies

	Ships in 1-3 days
	Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days
	Free Delivery

Easy Returns

Return within 7 days of
order delivery.See T&Cs

Fully Insured

All orders are fully insured
to ensure peace of mind.

100% Handmade

All products are
MADE IN INDIA.

A Masterpiece of Gujarati Weaving: The Gharchola Sari

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Indian textiles with this exquisite Gharchola sari, a testament to the intricate craftsmanship originating from Gujarat. This art silk creation is more than just a garment; it's a wearable piece of art, imbued with tradition and elegance. The sari features a mesmerizing pattern of zari-woven elephants and peacocks, symbols of prosperity and beauty, meticulously woven into the fabric. Each motif is rendered with precision, catching the light and adding a subtle shimmer that elevates the sari's luxurious appeal. The Gharchola weave itself is renowned for its distinctive checked pattern, often created using tie-and-dye techniques, but here it is reinterpreted through stunning Zari embroidery. This combination creates a unique visual texture that is both classic and contemporary. The base of the sari presents a soothing earthy tone, beautifully contrasted by the vibrant golden threads of the zari work. The pallu, a focal point of any sari, is adorned with a richer, more elaborate design, showcasing larger motifs and a striking border that draws the eye. This border, in a contrasting warm rust hue, is heavily embellished with intricate patterns, culminating in delicate, dangling tassels that add a playful yet refined finish.

An Emblem of Tradition and Craftsmanship

The Gharchola style has been a cornerstone of Gujarati culture for generations, traditionally worn for auspicious occasions and celebrations. This modern rendition in art silk offers the lustrous sheen and drape of silk while ensuring ease of care. The meticulous zari weaving technique employed here requires immense skill and patience, passed down through master artisans. The elephants, often depicted in procession, symbolize strength and good fortune, while the peacocks, with their majestic plumage, represent grace and beauty. Together, these motifs create a narrative of auspiciousness and aesthetic appeal, making this sari a truly special choice for weddings, festivals, or any event where you wish to make a statement of refined taste. The versatility of this sari lies in its ability to be styled in numerous ways. Whether draped in a traditional Nivi style or a more contemporary drape, it is sure to turn heads. The rich fabric and detailed embellishments ensure that it remains a treasured piece in your wardrobe for years to come, a beautiful connection to India's vibrant artistic legacy.

Weaving a story: The Making of an Ikat Saree

Ikat textile is not an indigenous art that originated from India but it is believed to have come from Indonesia and other countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand. The word “Ikat” has come from the Malaysian/Indonesian word Mengikat which refers to tying a bundle of yarn or threads together. The weaving style of Ikat sarees is special and unique. Although the motifs and patterns on these sarees may look simpler, it involves a complex weaving technique that gives a distinctive look to them. Ikat sarees are much loved in India for they add grace and elegance to a woman's overall beauty. The Ikat textile art has been practiced in India for over a thousand years and in recent years or decades, it has majorly developed in three states which are Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat. Eventually, these regions evolved their own style of designing and weaving Ikat sarees so much so that they are in high demand even in the international fashion world.

The characteristic designs of Ikat sarees are little blurred, multicolored and complex or complicated patterns, and the most common motifs are squares, hearts, paisleys, hexagons, diamonds, etc. The process of producing Ikat patterns requires hard labor and is usually done by skilled and experienced artisans. The steps involved in the process are as mentioned below:

1. Yarns are tied and dyed

Ikat patterns are developed by a special technique called the resist dyeing method. In Ikat art, instead of producing designs on fabric or the finished cloth, they are formed in yarn made of either cotton or silk. In the first step, the yarns are tied in a bundle and are wrapped or folded around a horizontal and/or vertical axis. The bundle is covered with wax or some other dye-resistant material with the desired pattern and the required color is applied. This process (tying and dyeing) is repeated several times until all the colors required are applied to complete the design.

2. Yarns are spun

Now the dyed yarns are dried and spun using the winding machine. Then the required length of yarn is cut off from the spinning machine and is ready to be woven into fabric.

3. Weaving is done

Once the yarn is dyed, the threads are unbundled and wound onto the loom as warp (longitudinal yarns) and weft (latitudinal yarns). The yarns are aligned properly in a way that the exact desired patterns and motifs are obtained. Thin bamboo strips are lashed to the threads to avoid their tangling or slipping as the loom is geared up to weave them. The designs that are formed out of the dyed yarns appear blurred rather than clear or sharp and this is the most important and main trait of Ikat sarees.

Since Ikat designs are created by directly dyeing the yarns rather than the cloth, they are formed on both sides and hence there is no need of giving a special finish to the saree. Ikat sarees come in many varieties of designs and patterns. Simple patterned sarees may take between 20 to 30 days to complete while the process may even go on for months to produce a detailed saree. Ikat sarees remain one of the most sought-after sarees among Indian women and their love for these is only increasing day by day.

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