How have the Kanchi sarees remained a vital part of clothing?

by Aarushi Reddy studant

In South India, there is a variety of silk sarees which has been in demand for a long period. The Kanchi Pattu sarees or Kanchipuram silk sarees are synonymous with the name of silk sarees. A unique feature of these sarees is the shine and durability of the fabric. The luxurious quality of cloth combined with a fantastic finish makes them highly popular.

The origin of these sarees dates to when the two famous weaving communities of Andhra Pradesh, the Devangas and Saligars migrated to Kanchipuram. This was also the historical migration of the entire silk industry to the city of Andhra Pradesh. Slowly, these sarees have established themselves amongst the most popular sarees in the whole world.

These soft silk sarees are used in lots of religious ceremonies and traditions around the world. The Kanchipuram silk has created employment opportunities for most of the population of this city. These sarees have sculptures of temples in the Kanchipuram village which makes them a medium of showcasing Kanchipuram culture.

The Kanchipuram sarees have evolved regarding designs and patterns as the time has passed but they haven’t lost their charm. In the initial stages, these sarees were sold by only the merchants, but weavers have become more aware and sell them through their co-operative societies.

In the beginning, these sarees were 9-yard long, and now they have evolved to 6-yard length with gold zari weaving. To keep them in the budget of more buyers, these sarees are also produced using artificial gold zari.

A basic Kanchipuram saree will cost around Rs 25,000 but as the gold and gems used on them increase so does their price. The most expensive of these sarees can cost Rs 40 lakh.

Jyothisareemandir is an online portal to purchase pattu sarees of different varieties. They also give discounts on their sarees for new buyers.