Banarasi sarees are not just Indian clothing but an ode to our Indian culture. The sarees represent culture, nation, and are heirlooms woven with history. The masterpieces have maintained their iconic status with their richness, opulence, and cultural aesthetics. Steeped in tradition, they are elegant fashion statements. Well, the sarees, which are not mere garments but iconic pieces for centuries, must be treated with an act of love and care. We present a deep appreciation for the regal sarees and their intricate craftsmanship. Let us see how we can build a foundation of care, love, and adoration for the opulent pieces. Apart from the storage, care, and maintenance tips, we also delve into the features of a Banarasi saree that make them oh-so-special.
Why Are Banarasi Sarees so Special?
So, what makes a Banarasi silk saree brilliant and exceptional- legacy, authenticity, richness, and meticulous details. The hand-woven designs, Mughal-inspired motifs, fine silk, and royal shades make sarees a treasured piece of Indian art. The time-consuming and manual process of crafting the sarees with symbolic and nature-inspired motifs makes them the finest in India. What else makes them highly-adored? You get to discover the bliss of the sarees for their zari work, use of gold and silver threads, and floral buttis. What’s more? Banarasi sarees are celebratory attire with detailed craftsmanship.
Reasons The Banarasi Sarees Must Be Celebrated and Cared For
- The sarees are marital bliss for the new brides.
- The six-yard wonders are a symbol of prosperity and tradition.
- The sarees reflect artistic heritage.
- Originated in Varanasi, they are a legacy of India’s royal and rich past.
- They represent cultural pride and excellence.
- Crafted from fine or pure silk, they are highly sought-after sarees.
- Soft texture and elegant drape make the sarees adorable.
- The sarees are an indispensable part of Indian wedding ceremonies.
Versatility Of Banarasi Sarees
Thought they were just great fits for weddings? Various settings, such as formal events, festivals, and religious ceremonies, also call for a royal banarasi number. The wide range of fabrics, designs, colors, and styling options allows them to be worn on various occasions. The innovation and modern interpretations, like geometric patterns, have expanded and extended the use of banarasi sarees to different types of occasions. Bold, edgy, contemporary patterns and a vast spectrum of colors allow these to be adapted for parties and even cocktails.
How Are Banarasi Sarees Adaptable for Different Occasions?
Styling, jewelry, draping, and the use of accessories can dictate the tone of the banarasi sarees.
- For Weddings & Festivals- A heavy banarasi silk saree featuring gold or silver weaves is perfect to add opulence and glam factor to grand occasions.
- For formal Events- Guess what can stand out at formal events like a reception? Tissue silk, georgette banarasi, banarasi sarees in uppada silk, and kora silk sarees are visually appealing numbers for formal events.
- For casual Events- Yes, these sarees are wholeheartedly yours and can accompany you everywhere. Sarees featuring pastel hues, trendy motifs, and modern blouses can be the magical creations for casual events, kitties, or social gatherings.
- Cocktails and Parties- A designer banarasi saree can brighten up your wardrobe for cocktail events. Go beyond classic drapes like pant styles and dhoti drapes and transform your sarees into a fresh partywear silhouette. Versatile accessorizing and diverse blouse designs can completely change the tone of the traditional outfit.
Why To Care For Banarasi Sarees?
These sarees are not just garments but award-winning styles that enlighten your wardrobe. Accordingly, the sarees, which are believed to be a sign of success, marital bliss, legacy, and memories, must be treated with utmost love and care. With banarasi sarees, you achieve royalty at its finest. Sarees offer a majestic and mesmerizing appearance to women at festivals and weddings. Therefore, the responsibility of extending the lifespan and value of the sarees completely lies on us. Isn’t it? So, what’s the wait? Let us see how gently we can handle the banarasi sarees can be handled.
Technically, the sarees are delicate and feature intricate craftsmanship. The fine silk threads or metallic threads used for weaving are thin and fragile. Improper handling, careless washing and drying, high heat for ironing, and negligence in storage methods can damage a fine and pure Banarasi saree.
How To Care For Your Banarasi Sarees?
- Handling- While handling banarasi sarees, you are lovingly taking care of the glorious heritage. Minding your movement, eating, walking, draping, and pinning can save your valuable heirloom. Try to keep the pallu secured, or use belts if you are a beginner. The belt can secure the pallu to go hither and thither and make the saree manageable.
- Washing- If you love your precious saree, avoid tossing it or putting it into the washing machine. Tumbling actions can damage the delicate fabric and fine embroidery work of the rich and cultural sarees. If you are washing at home, prefer a gentle handwash with mild detergents and cold water. The tender washing will prevent banarasi sarees from tearing, pulling, shrinking, and color bleeding. It is advisable to get your expensive and authentic banarasi sarees dry-cleaned.
- Drying- Put the home-washed saree to dry away from direct sunlight, as the intense UV rays can damage the fragile silk fibers and metallic zari weaves. Exposure to sunlight can also cause fading of the rich color. Zari tarnishing in the heat can take away the original luster of the sarees.
- Ironing- High-heat setting can scorch the delicate fibers of the rich banarasi sarees. The heat can weaken the fine threads, leaving the saree lifeless and dull. Ironing at high settings can also diminish the shine and flatten the weaves.
- Storage- Breathable muslin or cotton cloth is a must to preserve or store your royal banarasi sarees. Plastic bags are not recommended as they trap humidity. And don’t miss changing the folds of sarees in months to prevent permanent creases. Natural moth repellants, such as neem or over-the-counter balls, preserve the embroidery and fine silk from getting damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What shall we do if in case the saree gets stained?
Act immediately in case of stains with mild, cold water. Use a clean cloth to gently blot the stain. If the stain remains, opt for professional dry-cleaning. In case of oily stains, use talcum powder for absorption of oil and leave overnight. Gently brush off the powder the next day.
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Why are banarasi sarees expensive?
Pure silk, fine silver, and gold zari and intricate handwoven designs lead to the high cost of the sarees. The complexity of the weave also adds to the expense.
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How can we cross-check the saree for genuine and fine quality fabric?
An original banarasi saree is crafted out of pure silk. Feel the saree for its soft and firm texture. Genuine banarasi sarees are heavier due to dense weaving and zari work.
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