The striking Baluchari sari is a proud symbol of West Bengal. The Baluchari is a type of hand woven sari that uses intensely dyed silk and intricate weaving patterns. What’s special about this sari is that its pallu depicts complex motifs from the Mahabaratha and Ramayana. Wearing a Baluchari is a sign of status and nobility, making this elegant sari an essential wardrobe item.
History and Origins
The roots of this handloom wonder can be traced to the village of Baluchar, located in the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal. Started more than 500 years ago, due to natural disasters, this
handloom technique was shifted to Bishnupur, where it flourished tremendously.
How It’s Made?
Making a single Baluchari sari is arduous and time-consuming. When performed by a skilled craftsman, weaving a single Baluchari takes up to a week. Each part of the sari is hand woven using pure
silk threads. However, with the passage of time, cotton was also incorporated into weaving of the Baluchari sari.
Silk from mulberry silkworms are carefully harvested in a sericulture process. Silk yarns are meticulously removed from individual cocoons and treated in a hot water and soda combination before receiving a dye treatment. Then the silk yarn is drawn out to strengthen it enough so that it can withstand weaving.
The complex task of weaving the intricate embroidery and motifs occurs next. First, raw designs are created on paper and then punched into the sari. The colours that are used are cheerful and bright. In addition, many environmentally-friendly items are used to create the Baluchari sari. Bamboo trees, banana plant stems, natural flower dyes, fruit dyes, turmeric leaves, dried twigs and neem leaves are all utilized during the weaving process.
When are Baluchari saris worn?
Due to the mythological designs and motifs present on the pallu of this sari, it is a perfect item to wear during festive and ceremonial occasions such as Navaratri celebrations, pujas, birth
ceremonies, etc.
Where can you purchase a Baluchari sari?
To view our vast collection of beautiful Baluchari saris, visit Indian Wedding
Saree.