What are the unique features of Kanchi Pattu sarees?

Silk is a protein fibre and one of the dominant fabric used in manufacturing clothes. The tendency of silk to absorb heat makes it comfortable to wear in summers, and the low conductivity property of silk keeps the warm air close to the body.

From shirts, ties, blouses and lingerie, silk is used to produce fashion as well as formal clothing. A unique application of silk is the protection from insect bites. It can protect from bites of mosquitoes and horse flies which can pierce through other clothing material. Silk sarees are quite famous in the Indian subcontinent. Silk is known by the name of Pattu in South India.

Kanchi pattu sarees or Kanchipuram sarees are the sarees manufactured in the Kanchipuram region of Tamil Nadu. The intricate weaving patterns and the quality of silk used to produce these sarees make them stand out. According to an estimate, about 5000 families of this region are involved in the production of saree. There are 25 silk and cotton yarn industries and 60 dyeing units in this region.

Pattu sarees are woven from the pure mulberry silk thread. This thread comes from South India, and the zari comes from Gujarat. The colour and design of border usually don’t match to the body. In case the pallu needs to be in a different shade, they are woven separately and later delicately joined to the saree.

A unique feature of Kanchi pattu sarees is the wide contrasting borders. The border of these sarees has motifs of temples, palaces and general paintings. It got observed that with time, the famous golden dots in these sarees got replaced with general symbolic themes of fruits, animals and birds. The price range of pure Pattu sarees can be anywhere from Rs 7000 to 2,00,000.