#Balaramapuram saree

[indiansareedesigns07]

Kerala Pure Handloom Sarees - Popularity & History

The sarees from Kerala have not been able to become popular in north India because of their simple character and lack of publicity. The elegant saree of white colour with gold border is unique because of its natural colour texture and gold border. This saree lends an extraordinary elegance to the person who wears it. Every woman from Malayalam possesses at least one such saree.

Traditionally women in Kerala also wear a two- piece cloth named Munda which has natural body colour and breath-taking border shades which after wearing look exactly like a saree.

The traditional Kerala saree is hand-woven and is 100% unbleached cotton. The cotton is known for its fineness count in its weaving. The traditional design of a Kerala saree has a one inch to six-seven inch pallav while the border remained plain.

But things have changed now. In modern days to compete with sarees of other states the saree has a border and pallav which goes up to one metre or so. The border and pallav have natural things like animal, peacock or flower designs woven on them. The saree is also available in cheques and strips and a wide variety of other designs as well as in other varieties of fabric such as silk and cotton mixed cloth.

Kerala is also famous for making unbleached cotton handloom cloth commonly known as Kora cloth. This is exported and occupies a proud place in the garment industry. Balarampuram in Tiruvanthapuram district the capital of Kerala is a most historically important place for handloom fabric specially the traditional wear. It follows a 150 year-old tradition. It was during the reign of Maharaja Balaram Varma which dates back to year 1798 to 1810 that handloom weaving was first introduced at Balarampuram.

The weavers originally belong to a community who migrated from Nagarcoil and Tirunandi in Tamil Nadu. They used to produce superfine cloth for the royal family. The tradition spread from them to local weavers. The weavers use original-type throw-shuttle pitlooms for the production of exclusive cotton sarees with pure zari.

Named after the village of its origin handloom in north Parabal, Ernakulam district is famous for its fine weaving and special effects in pure cotton and silk sarees.

Kathampallisarees from north of Kerala are masterpieces made of high quality yarn using traditional and modern method. Kathampalli sarees are famous for design, quality, varied colour combination and ornamental zari work and border.

The weaving is done in unique style giving care to the thread and applying a special kind of paste to make the saree strong and long lasting. District Tressor is also known for its handloom fabric. Here a community of Devangas who immigrated from Karnataka are engaged in weaving the Kasavir sarees which are being produced here generally with half-fine zari and so prices are more economical.

Kathampalli sarees are preferred by the middle class people because of comparative low prices. The sarees from Kerala are used by the women in metros for dinner parties the ones with zari work. They are not used for wedding and engagement parties as they are not so glamorous.

The ones with simple border and pallav are used as casual wear. For lack of proper publicity it has not been able to capture the market for good varieties with zari work. They are available in metros in the Government emporiums. The cotton sarees are ideal for summer wear and can compete with sarees made in any other state.

The sarees with zari are a bit expensive but ordinary sarees with cotton border and pallav are highly affordable and are within the reach of a middle class person.

#lifestyle #indianwear #designer #clothing #style #womenswear #indianfashion #sarees #dresses #fashion #kerala sarees #pure handloom sarees #Kasavu saree #Balaramapuram saree #Kuthampully saree #Kayalaparambil saree #Mavelikkara saree #Dhoti saree #Kerala cotton saree #Kerala silk saree #Settu saree #Mundu saree

[creativeworld111]

MUST-HAVE SAREES EVERY INDIAN WOMAN NEEDS IN HER WARDROBE

Saree is more than just a garment; it's a timeless symbol of Indian culture and elegance. Every woman deserves to have a collection that reflects her personal style and caters to different occasions. But with so many varieties to choose from, where do you begin? Here's a guide to some essential sarees every Indian woman should own, and the Best Online Store for Indian Sarees in the USA can help you get started.

The Kanchipuram Silk Saree

Fabric: Pure silk, known for its rich texture, vibrant colors, and gold zari work

Occasions: Weddings, festivals, formal gatherings

Kanchipuram silk sarees are considered among the finest silk sarees in India. The rich texture, vibrant colors, and intricate gold zari work of these sarees are a testament to the skill of Kanchipuram weavers. Kanchipuram silk sarees are a popular choice for weddings, festivals, and other formal occasions.

The Baluchari Saree

Fabric: Tussar silk or cotton, known for its intricate storytelling through motifs

Occasions: Formal wear, festivals, special occasions

Baluchari sarees are unique for their storytelling through intricate motifs woven into the fabric. These motifs often depict scenes from mythology or historical events. The traditional weaving technique involves using fine silk or cotton threads, creating a delicate and detailed tapestry. Baluchari sarees are a cherished heirloom and a must-have for any collection that celebrates Indian heritage.

The Chanderi Saree

Fabric: Lightweight silk and cotton blend, known for its sheer texture, zari borders, and floral motifs

Occasions: Casual wear, day events, summer outings

Chanderi sarees are known for their lightweight and breathable nature, making them ideal for summer wear. The blend of silk and cotton creates a sheer texture that drapes beautifully, while the zari borders and floral motifs add a touch of elegance. Chanderi sarees are versatile and can be dressed up or down, making them a popular choice for casual outings and day events.

The Banarasi Saree

Fabric: Silk, known for its intricate gold and silver brocade work, vibrant colors

Occasions: Weddings, festivals, formal gatherings

Banarasi sarees are a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship. The intricate gold and silver brocade work on these sarees is a testament to the skill of Banarasi weavers. The vibrant colors and rich texture of Banarasi sarees make them a must-have for any collection meant for weddings, festivals, and other formal occasions.

The Maheswari Cotton Silk Saree

Fabric: Silk and cotton blend, known for its vibrant colors, zari borders, and geometric patterns

Occasions: Casual wear, work wear, everyday wear

Maheswari sarees are known for their vibrant colors and intricate zari borders. The cotton and silk blend makes them comfortable for everyday wear, while the geometric patterns add a touch of sophistication. Maheswari sarees are a versatile choice that can be dressed up or down, making them perfect for work, casual outings, and even special occasions.

The Balaramapuram Kasavu Saree

Fabric: Handloom cotton with gold zari border (Kasavu)

Occasions: Formal wear, festivals, weddings (particularly in Kerala)

The Balaramapuram Kasavu saree is a true gem from Kerala. Woven using the unique 'Unakkupaavu' technique, where the fabric is sun-dried for days, these sarees are known for their soft texture and rich gold borders. The pallu often features intricate designs, adding a touch of elegance. Perfect for formal occasions and festivals, Kasavu sarees are a beautiful way to celebrate Kerala's textile heritage.

No Indian woman's wardrobe is complete without a collection of timeless sarees that reflect our rich cultural heritage and personal style, especially when considering Hand woven Sarees Online in USA. Whether it's a classic silk saree for weddings, a versatile cotton saree for everyday wear, or a contemporary linen saree for summer outings, each saree has its own charm and significance. Invest in these must-have sarees, and you'll always have the perfect ensemble for every occasion, embodying grace, elegance, and tradition with every drape.

[tikliwali]

Seamstress from Kerala - Reviving and recreating ancient weaves http://ift.tt/2nRfUNK

#Balaramapuram Saree #kasavu saree #Kerala #Saree #Shopping Destinations #IFTTT #Blogger

[bharathidasanprabhu]

Watch "The story of the Kerala sarees of Balaramapuram" on YouTube

#Youtube

[carlsontrips-blog]

Kerala Is Famous For Handicrafts

Rich in culture, handicrafts, natural beauty and what not, this God’s own country, is the pride of India. Today we’re going to talk about its handicrafts. Made buy craftsmen with skills that their ancestors had in the time of the Hindu Lord Vishwakarma, these are crafts you won’t find anywhere else in India. Kerala is famous for handicrafts it makes and exports to other parts of the world. Here are the top 5 famous handicrafts in Kerala:

 The Pottery: 

The handicrafts of Kerala have a great role in promoting tourism here. Pottery items are designed and crafted by skilled Keralites who have made this art their profession. Even the clay used for molding the items is pure with great sentimental values to the local people. Amazing Murals that depict historical terracotta masks, jars and urns are molded out of clay. These items are taken home by foreigners as souvenirs, used as home décor and for other decorative purposes. Only a trip to Kerala can give you the true experience of knowing this artifact.

The Lacquerware: 

This is one of the most popular Keralan artifacts. A lacquer ware is made by blending metal and wood. It is an art woodcarvers in Kerala have inherited and live inspired with. They give the ware a finish of lacquer so that they look like valuable and expensive metal crafts.

Banana and Coconut Crafts:

These have a great role to play in promoting tourism in Kerala. The fiber from the trunk of Banana plants are extracted to craft beautiful bags, wall hangings, mats, etc. Coconut trees grow in abundance in Kerala, time has taught the creative craftsmen of this exotic tourist destination to make use of what has been gifted to them by nature. The coir of coconuts is used to make hand-fans, baskets, bags, rugs, and several other handicrafts.

Textiles: 

Kerala is famous for its silk made sarees. The origin of these are known as the Kuthampully, Balaramapuram or Karaikudi. The most popular outfit here for ladies is a white sari with colorful borders. This is something you must buy to take home. Made with a lot of effort on handlooms, the ornate look with zari borders of these sarees gives you a unique and elegant look.

Woodcrafts: 

Woodcrafts in Kerala can be seen flaunting its beauty from the very first step you take to explore it. It is found in Churches, temples, monuments and historical buildings all over the cities. The artistic crafts on pillars and ceilings of old structures are seen everywhere. The handicraftsmen of Kerala also make small relics and souvenirs for tourists to take home as a memory of their visit. A trip to Kerala is worth taking, at least once in your life. It is one place you go to see and feel the different forms of beauty.

#handicrafts of Kerala #Kerala is famous for its silk made sarees #Woodcrafts in Kerala #handicraftsmen of Kerala #trip to Kerala #Keralan artifacts #tourism in Kerala

[vsplusonline]

Ten weavers, many handlooms

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/ten-weavers-many-handlooms/

Ten weavers, many handlooms

There’s something about the way crisp light winds itself around the rawness of handmade textiles. It shines through the delicate drapes of leheriyas, the solid patterns of ajrak, and the intricate weaves of the patola, seamlessly. At an ongoing pop-up event at Parvati Villa, Colaba, textile aficionados can browse through a curated range of these fabrics, presented by 10 weavers and craftsmen across India. The series, titled ‘Heritage Spring Edit’, is the first curation in a potential three-month exhibition cycle that aims to feature handlooms from different states across the country.

Patola is in

“We’ve ensured that we pick a selected group of artisans to avoid the reality of retail fatigue, that’s usually caused by infinite options,” shares the organiser, Neomy Khatau. By introducing one craftsman per craft, Khatau is keen on avoiding unnecessary competition between the artisans, and encourages a variety of weavers scattered across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Kerala. “We also want to cater to the changing fashion trends. For example, two years ago, Banarasi was the go-to style option, but now, it’s all about the patola,” she continues.

The Salvi family, from the Patan region in Northern Gujarat, are specialists in the double ikat-patola weave, that will be on display at the exhibition. Legend has it, that the original patola weavers resided in Jalna, Maharashtra. But sometime in 12th century AD, 700 families were invited to Patan by King Kumarpal of the Solanki dynasty, who encouraged them to settle there. The specialty of the art form lies in the secrecy of its technique, only known by a particular clan of weavers.

Modern touch

Anka, from South India, introduces a contemporary twist of the classic cream and gold weaves of the Kasavu style. The weaving communities of Balaramapuram, Trivandrum, are now using shades of blue, green, and yellow, which has expanded their colour palette. Khatau explains that the uniqueness of the Kasavu weave lies in the fact that the fabric can be draped on both sides.

Continuing the trend of experimenting with traditional art forms, is Mohammed Tayeb Khan’s leheriya technique. The Padma Shri awardee’s style involves dipping chiffon into multiple coloured dyes, and then layering it with the tye and dye technique. Khan’s quintessential style pairs bright hues against soft pastels, and his mukaish chiffon sarees, bandhanis, turbans, vibrant duppattas, and scarves have catered to Rajasthani royalty since years.

For visitors looking for handcrafted silk and cotton sarees with traditional motifs, Bunkar will be showcasing a collection of works by the Baavanbuti weavers from Bihar. There’s an evident Buddhist influence in the motifs, which are first traced on to graph paper, before being weaved into the fabric itself. The sarees were integral family heirlooms in the 1960s, but with the lack of government patronage, it was difficult to sustain the expensive craft. “We’re living in a time where family heirlooms barely exist in the form of clothes, but with the right exposure, we hope to revive that,” says Khatau.

Heritage Spring Edit at at Parvati Villa, Colaba; 10.30 a.m. –6.30 p.m.

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New Post has been published on Titos London

#Blog New Post has been published on http://www.titoslondon.in/kerala-piravi-history-of-the-simple-yet-rich-kerala-kasavu-sari/

Kerala Piravi: History of the simple yet rich Kerala kasavu sari

Written by Soumya Mathew | New Delhi | Published:November 1, 2017 2:54 pm The crisp cotton cream and gold six yards of Kerala kasavu that women drape during the main festivities of the state and even in weddings exude a sense of elegance and richness even in its simplicity. Top News

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Be it Kerala Piravi, Onam or Vishu — the traditional kasavu mundu sari that women wear add to the colour and vibrancy of celebrations. The crisp cotton cream and gold six yards that women drape during the main festivities of the state and even during weddings exude a sense of elegance and richness in its simplicity. But more than featuring in a number of beautiful paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, a costume-wear of performers of traditional dances such as Mohiniattam and Kaikottikalli and the traditional festive wear, the kasavu mundu has a history that can been traced back to have started a handloom industry revolution and origins in the Buddhist era. The golden zari work on the sari border also show how the royal women of Kerala cleverly tried to use gold in fashion in ways other than just jewellery.

It is believed to have been introduced in Kerala under the rule of His Highness Maharaja Balaramavarma and his chief minister Ummini Thampi in the early 19th century. According to ‘Study and Documentation of Balaramapuram Sarees & Fine Cotton fabrics’, a research paper, the leaders brought about a revolution in the handloom industry by inviting members of the ‘Shaaliyar’ weavers’ community from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu and offering them a place of respect and pride within the state. The weavers reciprocated by showing their gratitude by successfully using the cotton available in the market to make hand-woven cotton garments for the royals of Travancore. The sudden rise in demand for hand-woven saris caught the attention of the Dutch and Portuguese exporters as well.

A portrait of Mahaprabha Thampuratti of Mavelikkara, Raja Ravi Varma’s daughter holding her son Marthanda Varma (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Interestingly, the barter system, which became common after Vasco da gama reached Kerala, involved the exchange of gold for spices in return. The upper class women and the royals saw this as an opportunity to make use of the gold by weaving it into the hand-woven saris. Also known as Kerala kasavu, the origin of the traditional sari has also been traced to ancient Buddhist literature.

While the kasavu sari is a one-piece cloth, the mundu-neriyathu which it closely resembles and takes after, has references in Buddhist literature, wherein it is known as ‘Sattika’.

The mundu is referred to as antariya in the Buddhist context and the neriyathu (the cloth covering the upper part of the body) is referred to as uttariya in the ancient Buddhist-Jain texts. The gold rimmed borders of the sari has long been speculated to be inspired by the Graeco-Roman costume called ‘palmyrene’ — an attire that consists of a piece of long unstitched cloth called ‘palla’ that had a coloured or designed border, which was worn over a long, flowy garment.

Explaining how a traditional wear is highly influenced by the colours and vibrancy of the region, Aswathi Thirunal Gauri Lakshmi Bhai, the current princess of the Travancore royal family, compared Kerala’s kasavu with the traditional wear of Rajasthan.

“For example, the clothes worn in Rajasthan are very colourful and vibrant. Because there are deserts in that region, the women wear jewel-toned, vibrant hued-clothes. On the other hand, Kerala is brimming with colours, especially green. So it is okay if the clothes aren’t colourful enough. This is why the colour of the kodi (the kasavu mundu) is very dear to us,” she told iemalayalam.com.

The Kerala kasavu sari now ceases to be just identified as the simple traditional wear of women in the region. With more and more actors warming up to the cream and golden elegance, it has now become more of a fashion statement, even in all its simplicity.

Study & Documentation of Balaramapuram Sarees & Fine Cotton fabrics: The Pride of God’s Own Country (http://handlooms.nic.in/writereaddata/Balaramapuram%20Sarees635701520378938440.pdf)

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