Elegance meets opulence in the Ivy-Green
Kalmakari Kanjivaram Silk
Saree, a true embodiment of timeless grandeur. The body of
this saree is a canvas of regal splendor, featuring a meticulously hand-painted
scene from a King's Court. The vivid imagery transports you to a bygone era,
where royalty and refinement reign supreme. Crafted with utmost care, this
masterpiece transforms every drape into a luxurious affair, making a statement
that's nothing short of regal.
Adding to its allure, the border boasts a
Mor Brocade pattern, exuding an air of sophistication and grace. The classical
Kanjivaram work on the pallu elevates this piece to extraordinary heights. This
saree is not just clothing; it's a piece of art that you will cherish for years
to come, a testament to the enduring beauty of tradition and craftsmanship.
Handwoven Elegance: The Journey of a Kanjivaram Saree
Kanjivaram sarees are one of the most sought-after sarees among
Indian women. They have not only gained popularity in India but
across the globe in recent years/decades and are thus in high
demand even in the international fashion world. Made of the finest
quality silk, bearing intricate designs, and having vibrant
colors, Kanjivaram sarees have undoubtedly made their way to the
hearts of most women. The origin of these sarees is believed to
date back to the 7th century during the reign of the Chola
dynasty. Kanjivaram silk sarees originate from the city of
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. These sarees stand out among other sarees
because of the use of vivid colors and the natural glossy shine of
pure silk. Women prefer to drape a Kanjivaram, especially on
special occasions such as weddings and festivals to look flawless
and elegant. The most common motifs found on these sarees are
peacocks, leaves, flowers, paisleys, Kalash, etc. The
characteristic feature of Kanjivaram silk sarees is the rich Zari
work on fine silk fabric. This makes them a popular choice among
women of all age groups.
Let us look at the steps involved in the making of a Kanjivaram
silk saree:
1. Finest quality silk yarn is processed and dyed
Each Kanjivaram saree is made purely with high-quality silk and
thus the first step in the making process of the saree is to
find the best silk and process it. The silk yarn is first washed
and soaked in rice water and then dried in the sun. This step is
necessary to make the yarn strong and stiff to maintain the
durability of the fabric. It is then dyed in rich hues by hand
and again sun-dried.

2. Silk yarn is woven with the Zari
Now the colored threads are intertwined with silver thread and
these resultant threads are interlocked with golden thread. The
Zari threads (gold and silver) are produced from real silver and
gold and are sourced from Gujarat.

3. The process of weaving begins
Before weaving, the Zari threads and colored threads are sorted
to avoid any tangles and individual strands are put to the
weaving loom from one end to the other. Now the warp ends are
drawn and joined to the previous warp on the loom. The desired
design is fabricated or woven onto the fabric manually. This
technique has been passed down from one generation of skilled
weavers to the next.

4. The saree is given a finishing
Now that the saree has been woven and the desired design has
been obtained, it is sent for giving it a finished look. Any
extra threads are cut and removed to make the saree ready to be
sent to retail shops and markets for sale purposes.

The whole process of crafting a Kanjivaram silk saree may sound
or appear easy, but the amount of time and effort that it
requires is unimaginable. Depending on the intricacy of the
design, it may take several weeks or months to complete one
Kanjivaram. Although the cost of the saree is expensive (due to
the use of real gold and silver) and not many people can afford
to buy it, it has managed to be a part of beautiful family
treasures that are passed down through generations as a token of
love and affection.