What are the features of ikkat sarees that attract women?

by Aarushi Reddy studant

Saree remains the most worn clothing item in the Indian sub-continent. But people have minimum knowledge of the origin of saree. Saree originated during the Indus valley civilisation, and the name saree comes from Sanskrit which means a strip of cloth.

The varieties in sarees are diverse. There are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a saree, and there are five styles of how these sarees are manufactured depending on the region. Nivi is the most used draping style of saree originating in Andhra Pradesh. In the Eastern and Southern styles of manufacturing saree, there are two popular styles of sarees.

First is the ikkat pattu sarees which are manufactured in Odisha. Ikkat is a dying technique used to pattern textiles that employ resist dyeing on the yarns before dying and weaving the fabric. The unique feature of ikat sarees is the “blurriness” to the design. This blurriness is characteristic of ikkat and is prized by the textile collectors.

Ikkat gets produced in many traditional textile centres around the world from India to Central Asia, Japan, Africa and Latin America. The following are the types of Ikkat dying-

• Warp ikkat

• Weft ikkat

• Double ikkat

• Pasapalli ikkat

The price range of ikkat silk sarees is between 4 to 12 thousand rupees.

The second type is the Gadwal sarees which are produced in Gadwal of Jogulamba Gadwal district in the Indian state of Telangana. The distinctive feature of these sarees is the Zari which is present in them. The weave on this saree is so light that it can be placed in a matchbox. The credit for widespread knowledge of Gadwal sarees is given to the Gadwal handloom centre. They are available in the price bracket of 7 to 26 thousand.

Jyothisareemandir is a shopping portal to purchase ikkat pattu and Gadwal sarees. They have traditional wears for women of all ages and combine Indian art with craftsmanship. Contact us to buy sarees today.