Making ‘Golden’

The weaving of a kanjivaram is a laborious process, and the skilled weavers of Kanchipuram follow the traditions and techniques of their ancestors. This beautiful golden hued kanjivaram took over 45 days to create. The setting up and preparing of the loom took fifteen days, and the weavers spent another month working at the loom to bring this sari to life.

The basic adai loom used to weave this drape has been in use for the last fifty years. For this sari, it was specially constructed with a four-pedal set up, in contrast to the two pedals used in the weaving of most silk saris in this region. 

In the weaving of this beautiful gold kanjivaram, the finest zari was used in the warp, while the weft consisted of one silk and one zari yarn. The colour of the silk was carefully chosen to blend in seamlessly with the zari and to ensure that the overall visual effect was one of glowing, molten gold. 

The delicate twill pattern on the drape is achieved by a technique known as 8 ‘kol ’ weaving, in which the zari is laid over the silk; the rich gold standing out against the sari’s drape.

This sari features a special kind of hand tasseling, with three rows of tassels; the perfect finishing touch to this splendid silk. The kanjivaram is rich and heavy with zari, and yet, the fine weave allows it a gentle, fluid drape. 

A testament to the incredible skill of the Kanchipuram weaver and to the ancient craft heritage, this exquisite kanjivaram combines the finest quality materials with the best of traditional skill to create an heirloom sari that can be handed down from one generation to the next.

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