Kanjivaram Saree ( Kanchipuram Saree)

 Everything You Need to Know About Kanjivaram Silk Sarees

Can any conversation around sarees be complete without speaking about the queen of silk? 

The idea of this blog is to make you once again fall in love with the weave and saree called Kanjivaram.

Just like its weave, Kanjivaram silk sarees are intricately woven in Indian history. These are quintessential possessions of an Indian women’s wardrobe since time immemorial. Known as the queen of silks, it is the most preferred trousseau at any traditional occasion, wedding, or festivals. Unveiling the rich cultural heritage and exceptional craftsmanship, kanjivaram sarees stand out for their exquisite beauty, texture, luster, durability, finish, and versatility. 

Silk sarees have a deep cultural significance and have been captivating the world. Therefore, they are also offered to Gods and elders in the family as a mark of love and respect. It is not only a piece of cloth, but emotions and silhouettes weaved together. The sarees are made up of scintillating fine work and weaves that encompass modernity and tradition. Embarking on the journey of this famous handloom, let’s explore more about kanjivaram silk sarees.

The Journey of Kanchipuram to Kanjivaram 

Kanchipuram is a city of old traditions and new aesthetics. Woven by master weavers who are the descendants of Sage markhendeya, kanjivaram sarees are the sacred attires of celebratory occasions. When you feel the silken weaves of the Kanjivaram, you are holding a craft that has been thriving for ages. The Saga of the deity Kanjivaram is eternal. The Kanjivaram sarees curated with scintillating designs and impeccable perfection will capture the gazes of delight. The unique silk hues of these masteries had come together to curate the magical sight. We adore Kanchipuram master weavers, and we hope you embrace these hues with love. 

The deity land of Kanchipuram is famous for silk and is eminent as the city of thousand temples. Depicting the ambiance of divinity and simplicity, Kanchipuram has intertwined religion and weaving in its tinges. In this 'All You Need To Know About Kanjivaram Silk Saree' blog, we are going to bestow you with the sacred insight and history of Kanjivaram sarees with the inspiring hints of nature, architecture, and sculptures of Kanchipuram. So embrace yourself for a journey with Singhania's Hyderabad in exploring loved and cherished authentic Singhanias Kanjivaram sarees.

What is (Kanjivaram) Kanchipuram?

Kanjivaram sarees are a traditional form of silk saree from India, typically made in the state of Tamil Nadu. They are known for their bright colours and elaborate designs, which often incorporate gold and silver thread. Kanjivaram sarees are usually made from a heavier type of silk known as kanchipuram silk, which is why they are sometimes referred to as kanjivaram silk sarees. The term "kanjivaram" itself actually refers to the town of Kanchipuram, where the saree originates.

Kanjivaram sarees are typically quite expensive, due to the high quality of the silk and the intricate designs. They are often seen as a status symbol and are therefore popular among Indian women of all social classes. In recent years, however, kanjivaram sarees have become more accessible to international markets, making them a popular choice for Indian brides getting married abroad as well.

Origin and  History of Kanjivarm 

Originating from Kanchipuram, a small town in Tamil Nadu, the kanjivaram saree wearing style is being weaved for 400 years now, by weavers who moved from Andhra Pradesh and gained popularity during the reign of Krishna Devaraya. As per Hindu mythology, the Kanchi silk weavers were descendants of Sage Markanda. They were the weavers of God and weaved silk from the tissue fiber of lotus. This material was a favorite of Lord Vishnu.

In the sangam era, the cotton cloth woven in Kanchipuram was exported to the Roman Empire and was significantly valued. Therefore, Kanchipuram has been renowned for its dual silhouettes, first as the city for its divinity known as a city of thousand temples as well as an important weaving cluster of India for more than 1500 years.

Weaving Process of Kanjivaram

The most common type of Kanjivaram saree is the plain weave, which is created by interlacing the warp and weft threads in a simple over-under pattern. The saree can also be woven in a variety of other patterns, such as the checks and stripes of the kalamkari style, or the geometric designs of the temple border sarees.

Kanjivaram sarees are usually brightly coloured and adorned with gold zari thread, which gives them their characteristic sheen. The sarees are often decorated with intricate designs, such as floral motifs or scenes from Hindu mythology.
Kanjivaram sarees are traditionally worn by married women in South India and are considered to be auspicious for special occasions such as weddings and festivals.

Special about The Kanjivaram Silk Saree

The Kanjivaram Saree Patten is made of pure silk, with motifs having zari of silk threads dipped in liquid gold and silver. For it to be classified as a kanjivaram saree bride wear, Geographical Indication (GI) stricture stipulates that the decorative zari must have at least 57% silver and 0.6% gold in it.

The special appeal of this seemingly royal venture are the very intricate designs that are woven into the body in gold threads of human and animal figures or geometric designs with temple towers along the border. The borders have wide contrast. Temple borders, checks, stripes and floral (buttas) are traditional designs found on a kanjivaram saree online. The base material, silk, is also known for its quality and craftsmanship. Good fine count weaves with suitable enhancement, suitable linings and smooth texture, with the special shimmer quality have kept its reputation as a valuable product to be carefully stored and displayed on those special occasions like weddings, grand parties, big festivals, social functions.

In order to get the protection and continued sustenance for a valuable product that is the outcome of devotion and dedication, the kanjivaram saree pattern has acquired the Geographical Indication label in 2005 for its origin.

Maintain and Care of Kanjivaram saree

Kanjivaram sarees are pure beauty and most saree lovers wish to possess one. While we love new outfits for all occasions, it is important to take care of those stunning Kanjivarams so they last forever. After all, how can you create an heirloom if you don’t take care of the stunning silk?

Kanjivaram is one of the most traditional and richest handlooms in India. From top Bollywood actresses like Rekha to housewives, Kanjivaram silk sarees are known by all women. However, these very expensive sarees need to be taken care of properly so that they don’t lose their shine. Read on to know the tips and tricks on how to keep your Kanjivaram saree always beautiful!

Wash the Kanjivaram saree

Dry Cleaning: Always have your sarees dry cleaned instead of washing them at home. Dry cleaning keeps the sheen of the fabric intact.

• Home washing: If you end up washing your Kanjivaram at home, then always wash it with cold water and shampoo. Washing your Kanjivaram Saree in hot water may weaken the silk fabric.

• Drying: You should never dry your silk saree under direct sunlight. Dry the saree in a room out of direct sunlight and tumble dry to remove excess water.

• Detergents and soaps: Wash your saree with a light shampoo rather than detergents. Soapberries or soap nuts are a good alternative to chemical soaps. They’ll not even harm the zari or silk of your Kanjivaram.

• Ironing: Don’t iron your saree directly. Always place a cloth over it and iron it. Ironing directly can affect its shine.

• Steaming: Steaming is always the safest way to remove wrinkles in a Kanjivaram silk saree.

• Stains: A stained Kanjivaram silk saree should be dry cleaned as soon as possible to remove the stain. The longer it takes, the more difficult it’ll be to remove the stain. Stubborn stains should be treated with laundry.

• Moth protection: If you want to keep your Kanjivaram saree for a long time, you should use moth repellents such as silica gel or neem leaves. However, avoid using naphthalene balls as they can damage the fabric of your saree.

Store a Kanjivaram saree

To keep intact the texture, color and shine of the Kanjivaram saree, it is important to know how to store Kanjivaram sarees properly. Here are a few things that you should know if you want to store your silk sarees.

• Storing Kanjivaram: Don’t place or store cotton or other sarees along with the Kanjivaram. Wrap your precious saree in muslin or pure cotton cloth and store it separately to preserve its longevity.

• Folding the saree: Always fold your sarees carefully so that the zari doesn’t get damaged. For silk, it’s advisable to fold the saree with the zari facing inwards to protect the sheen.

• Fading of colors: To avoid fading of colors, keep them in a dry and dark place where sunlight doesn’t fall on them.

• Handling: Unfold your silk sarees and preferably change the folding every 3 months. Don’t use plastic covers for sarees, use cloth covers if you don’t want to wrap them in muslin.

• Air your saree: Kanjivarams should be aired in the shade, or even in your own room. If you do this every 2 to 3 months, your saree will stay in good condition for a long time.

• Air fresheners: Never use naphthalene balls as moth repellents or even air freshener sprays where your saree is stored. Instead, use neem leaves. You can also use silica gel if you’re afraid of mold growth on your saree.