As much as you would like to own a Kanjivaram saree, finding a genuine one requires a little bit of deliberation on your side. Everything that glitters is not gold. Likewise, every shimmery, soft, captivating saree will not be a Kanjivaram. In a world full of copies, looking for an original might seem like a herculean task. But fret not; let me elaborate few points that you could use to check for an authentic Kanjivaram silk saree.
1. The Burn test
Silk is derived from silkworms. That means it is proteinaceous in nature, similar to our hair. Burning a few strands of original silk will smell like burnt hair, whereas artificial imitations smell like burnt plastic.
Also, silk burns as long as it is in contact with the flame and extinguishes the moment it is taken away from the flame. Artificial substitutes of silk continue burning even after they are removed from being in contact with the flame.
Furthermore, the burnt silk will leave powdery ash when crushed between your thumb and index finger, while anything other than authentic silk will form an unyielding ball of burnt residue.
Following the above method may not be practical always. For the simple fact that you cannot actually waltz into a cloth Store demanding silk threads so that you can set them on fire; can you now? So, there are other ways through which you can check for originality of a Kanjivaram saree.
6 Must have Kanjipuram silk sarees from NALINA collection by Prashanti
2. The Silk Mark.
The 'Silk Mark Organisation of India' has promoted a certification mark for pure natural silk textiles in India. The logo can be found in the hangtags or sewn in with the fabric. The ones in the form of hangtag are more susceptible to duplication and you need to exercise caution while buying such sarees. Each label has a hologram and a unique number printed on it. This helps in protecting the interests of consumers and manufacturers.
6 Must have Kanjipuram silk sarees from NALINA collection by Prashanti
3. Know your zari
Though the Kanjivaram saree is woven from pure mulberry silk, its zari can come in many variations such as pure zari, half fine zari, fast zari and imitation zari. The cost of the zari varies according to the type of zari used
Real or pure zari is made from pure silver which is wound on a base yarn of silk and then electroplated with pure gold. Half fine zari consists of wrapping a silk yarn with copper wire that is electroplated with silver. It is then gilded to obtain a golden colour. In tested zari, copper wire is electroplated with gold. Fast zari has a polyester yarn that is gilded with copper and minute amounts of silver. Imitation zari is made by coating threads with gold coloured powder.
With so many varieties of zari that closely imitate each other, even a trained person will find it difficult to differentiate between them. Pure zari sarees are soft and smooth to touch and reflect light to shine brilliantly. The tested zari sarees are a little stiff to touch and won't flow as well as the puri zari sarees. If you cannot know the difference, you can always ask the salesperson in-charge.
Half fine zari sarees are inexpensive than pure zari sarees as copper is quite economical compared to silver. They're are also available in more wider tone varieties than the pure zari sarees. Half fine zari doesn't tarnish like the tested zari. Imitation zari or powder zari sarees tend to fade or turn black after few washes.
6 Must have Kanjipuram silk sarees from NALINA collection by Prashanti
4. The physical attributes
A pure Kanjivaram silk saree uses three strings of silk fibre which makes the saree heavier. It might weigh anywhere from two kilograms or more depending on the amount of zari incorporated.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration if one said that the appeal of a silk saree can be majorly attributed to its unrivalled lustre. A pure Kanjivaram silk saree appears to change its colour when you change the angle of the light falling on it, whereas, artificial silk displays plain white sheen all over, irrespective of the angle of the light.
Kanjivaram silk sarees stand a class apart because of their bold, rich contrasting border, often embellished with a vast array of motifs that depict temples, animals, florals, vines, birds and zigzag lines; unique to the Kanjivaram weave.
The manual weaving of the saree adds tiny imperfections within the saree. These imperfections are unique to each saree. Because the body, border and pallu are in contrasting colour, they're made separately and then woven together in a tight weave called 'korvai'. This distinct feature is evident as a zigzag pattern at the junction of body and pallu.
6 Must have Kanjipuram silk sarees from NALINA collection by Prashanti
5. The cost factor
Authentic Kanjivaram silk sarees are woven on a handloom and can take anywhere from ten days to two months to complete. In addition to this, the usage of gold and silver zari increases the price of the saree. Because of the use of copper, half fine zari sarees are economical than pure zari sarees.
As you go on your expedition to find a genuine Kanjivaram silk saree, you might get overzealous and think of procuring the saree directly from the Kanchipuram weavers, but the fact is that you can be conned there too unless you know the in and out of the trade. Perhaps, buying a saree from a trusted retailer might prevent you from falling prey to cheap imitations and save you the financial and emotional turmoil.
Also, Check
6 Must have Kanjipuram silk sarees from NALINA collection by Prashanti
The Bridal 15 Collection by Prashanti
Silk Cotton Saree - Consistent Quality, Different Prices!
]]>
Someday in your life, you must have stood all starry-eyed in front of your mother's wardrobe, dreaming of a day when you will have a saree collection just like hers. It would have been a treasure trove of different textures and colours - perhaps your own version of wardrobe to Narnia.
In this article, we are going to talk about how you can have a collection of Kanjivaram silk sarees that can surpass any celebrity's trousseau. I am sure when I say Kanjivaram, you might be thinking about the most common red, gold, orange, yellow sarees which you may already own and wondering what more variety can you buy in Kanjivarams. Then you definitely need to take a sneak peek at the "Nalina" collection of Prashanti Silks and you'll know exactly what you are missing out on.
To begin with, let us familiarise with a normal Kanjivaram saree and the modified designs that are available nowadays. This will help you in diversifying your collection. A typical Kanjivaram saree has a body, border, pallu and each of which is woven separately and then joined together. This divine union is apparent in temple shaped design at the border called "Korvai". A skilled weaver can create a masterpiece by putting together a medley of designs and colours in the entire saree and blouse.
A Kanjivaram saree is made of 3 ply pure mulberry silk. It has a lustrous, glossy texture and is in stark contrast to the colour of the border and pallu - a hallmark of Kanjivaram sarees. Following are a few of the patterns that adorn a Kanjivaram saree.
They run along the breadth of the saree in geometric synchrony to be interspersed by buttas in gold or silver zari or both. This is a unique design in the Kanjivaram stack involving vertical weaving and you can choose it if you aren't a fan of the traditional designs.
The buttas are always designed as an ode to Mother Nature. The motifs are a tableau of dancing peacocks, elephants, paisleys, floral wreaths, leaves, creepers and perfect geometric patterns.
A careful glance at not just the motif designs but also their sizes can define the way you look from a dainty Princess to a feisty goddess. Pastel shades with delicate floral patterns can render a gentle look and you can make a bold statement with dark shades with voluminous buttas.
Buttas can be designed in thread, gold or silver zari. You can choose sarees with buttas that suit your mood and occasion, depending on the type of zari and amount of "oomph" factor required. A thread weave gives a subtle charm whereas gold or silver motifs are all-time classics.
There is a potpourri of designs when it comes to checks. They include palum-pazhamum checks, kasa-kasa checks, vazaiphoo stripes, thandavalam stripes, veldhari stripes, puliyam kottai checks, Muthu kattam, koorai kattam, kottadi, paimadi checks, vaira oosi etc
The sarees come in dual shades, single shades, multi-colour combinations to suit the check designs. They are so bright and lively and are a great wear for any festive season.
The unmatched creativity of the Kanchipuram weavers to suit the modern woman is evident in half and half sarees. These are sarees that have different designs on the top half and bottom half of the body.
The border can be totally absent or some selections have thin piping of zari gloriously outlining the weave. These make lovely workwear attire.
The traditional Kanjivaram sarees are famous for their dual sheen, that is, the saree appears to change colours when you change the angulation of the light falling on it. On a glorious morning, the bewitching beauty of the shifting shades is a sight to behold and no heads will be left unturned as you glide in a classic piece.
Check out our exclusive Kanchipuram silk sarees
This is the part of the saree (apart from the blouse) that has undergone a lot of transformation throughout the years. If you look at old movies, you can see how the border evolved from being broad to medium to thin and back again to being broad…. It is a never-ending cycle of designing experiments and shapeshifting.
Kanjivaram sarees too have undergone a lot of metamorphosis in their border to suit generations of women with ever-evolving fashion sense. They're available as :
As the name suggests, these sarees have no border and appear less intense. Nevertheless, they're ethereal and perfect for office wear.
Bavanji border is where the border is of plain geometric design. These sarees are simple and serene and are excellent for casual wear.
These borders come in solid zari without any floral or geometric patterns. They're woven in gold or silver zari.
Pyramid shapes or temple gopuram patterns are hallmarks of Kanjivaram sarees. These sarees are a must for religious festivals and they are apt to drape the temple deities too during religious occasions.
The modern versions of Kanjivaram sarees have a fashionable border where the top border is quite different from the lower, in terms of design as well as size.
Sometimes there are dual borders on one side itself. A combination of bavanjii border on the external side and a floral border on the inner aspect renders a bountiful look to the saree.
A typical traditional Kanjivaram saree will have floral vines, leaves, instruments, paisleys, animals and bird motifs. Many have simple geometric zigzag lines. Some borders are embellished with stories of Indian mythology and some have geometric structures that bespeak the fundamental harmony of the universe. These sarees are the epitome of elegance and sophistication. They'll never go out of vogue.
Check out our exclusive Kanchipuram silk sarees
The pallu is the heart of the saree. The beauty of the saree resides in the pallu as much as it is in the body. Kanjivaram sarees almost always have contrasting pallus that are similar to a painter's canvas.
There are innumerable designs that can be encased in a Kanjivaram pallu, including pictures of the infant Lord Krishna blissfully playing on his flute or the timeless classic tale of Radha and Krishna.
Zari is the soul of the Kanjivaram saree. Over the years, it has undergone changes to suit the needs of women with different socioeconomic background.
The original zari was made of pure gold and silver. Currently, the Kanjivaram sarees are available in one-gram gold zari, two-gram gold zari, half fine zari, tested zari etc. One gram gold zari is nothing but the zari that is dipped in one gram gold and same goes for the two gram gold zari. This is done to bring down the cost of Kanjivaram sarees.
Owning a pure zari Kanjivaram saree is similar to owning a prized painting. It has a resale value, it never gets old and its value increases with time.
Check out our exclusive Kanchipuram silk sarees
Gone are the days when the blouse was the most overlooked part of the saree. Nowadays, getting a custom-designed blouse is like making an haute couture clothing. The Kanjivaram saree blouses are available in self-colour, contrasting colours with or without brocade weaving. You can customize them with embroidery for your special day or just wear it plain for a subtle look.
Listing the colour spectrum of Kanjivaram sarees is beyond the scope of this article because there is no colour that is not available in the Kanjivaram collection. Pastel shades, dark tones, bold contrasts, demure hues; you name it and they are in there. In addition to the traditional combinations in sunset shades, earthy tones, forest and ocean themes, unique colours in grey, teal, pastel browns etc will add richness to your trousseau.
In general, having a collection of Kanjivaram sarees is like having an explosion of rainbows in your cupboard. The flow of the silk, the smooth texture soothes your mind. Now that you know about the ingredients that make a perfect Kanjivaram saree, each Kanjivaram that you pick is like a unique recipe customised to suit your taste. An opulent collection simply represents your artistic side and your zeal towards life.
Also, check out
]]>Just when you thought you'd had enough of the uniform; Oh boy! Did you just land in the corporate world to wear it again? Your inner fashionista must have flown off the handle at such a preposterous arrangement.
Meanwhile, the corporate world has been aware of the stress that it has been subjecting its employees to, and there have been diligent attempts at shifting the office culture from an uptight environment to a more friendly workspace. The rules are relaxed around dressing and workspace freedom.
Women now wear salwar kameez, kurtas, jeans and shirts to work as far as their company protocols allow. A well-draped saree can be an esthetically valuable addition to your workwear trousseau. Having said that, If you are thinking of making a mark at your workplace, what can be more perfect than the elegant Kanchipuram silk sarees?
The Kanchipuram sarees have adapted to the changing times through the modifications that are made to suit a modern woman's diverse tastes. It has made them a pleasant choice to wear even for regular office hours. Let me convince you why you should pick a Kanchipuram saree as your office attire.
Explore our Kanjivaram Silk Saree Collection
1. Changing trends from Western to traditional wear
The workwear was introduced such that each team members appearance positively reflected the company. When it came into vogue, people chose attires that were lightweight and looked professional, and hence the surge in the use of Western wear. The western textile industries had enough resources to promote their products and deem them highly suitable for professionals.
With the influx of Gen Y into work-force, Office wear doesn't mean wearing formals all the time anymore. Within a certain dress code ethics, people are allowed to wear what they like.
We, women, especially Indian women love colours. How drab one's existence must feel if you have to wear the same monochrome Western outfits every single day? But the good news is that the winds of change are here. Kanjivaram sarees are available in lightweight versions, unlike the traditional ones. They're easy to carry and comfortable to wear.
2. A wild assortment of colours and designs
Those days are long gone when Kanchipuram silk sarees were reserved for weddings and special occasions. Currently, Kanjivaram weaves boast of colours and colour combinations that surpass an artist's palette. There are borderless sarees, thread woven sarees, with and without zari, printed versions and lightly embroidered sarees. These blend perfectly with your work environment, simultaneously giving you a polished, graceful look.
3. You can look majestic as well as feminine
Wearing a timeless classic such as a Kanjivaram saree will always command attention at your work-place, not to mention the regal vibes it always exudes. The modern versions are available in sober tones and aren't flashy or gaudy. With hundreds of colours and designs to choose from, you can have your pick for perfect workwear. Sarees command respect.
4. You can never go wrong with a saree
If you watch celebrity news, very often the tabloids report on a wardrobe malfunction. But how many times have you heard or seen it in connection to a saree? Hardly any! It isn't very often that we come across things that have stood the test of time. But the saree that has a mention in the Vedas and has lasted for thousands of years, in itself is a testimony for its competence.
In conclusion, the Kanjivaram saree, once traditional, has undergone positive changes to provide comfort and convenience to the person it embraces. You can never ever get bored with Kanjivaram sarees.
]]>