India is a country that truly upholds and lives up to the phrase ''unity in diversity''. It is home to a billion people and has over a hundred different dialects. This country is a fine mélange of various cultures that stay together in harmony by maintaining its own individuality with pride. Every state in India has its language and customs that the people living in the state follow, and the Handloom industry is no different. Let us have a look at the handloom industry and its uniqueness to know this nation better.

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1. Andhra Pradesh: Kalamkari

The word 'kalamkari' has two words in it, - 'kalam' means 'pen' and 'Kari' means 'work; This work was done by drawing motifs with colored pens on fabrics. This pen art is extensively used to depict scenes from Hindu mythology on sarees and dupattas. Kalamkari was patronized by Moghuls and the demand for this artwork is still on the rise.

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2. Arunachal Pradesh: Apatani

The characteristic feature of the Apatani weave is its neat and shapely geometric pattern. This weave hails from the land of Arunachal Pradesh, and the weave of the Apatani tribe is considered more advanced than the rest in their native land. Apparels featuring the Apatani weave forms an essential part of women's closet in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

3. Assam: Muga Silk

Original Muga silk can only be made in Assam. These silks have a natural golden tone to them, and their specialty lies in the fact that the sheen of a Muga silk gets brighter with every use. This fabric is used to make the traditional Assamese attire- Mekhla Chador.

4. Bihar: Bhagalpuri Silk

The silk weaving industry in Bhagalpur is hundreds of years old and has a rich heritage. Bhagalpuri silk is made only from a specific kind of larva of a silkworm. It has a textured look and is revered by women across India.

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5. Chhattisgarh: Kosa Silk

The finest Kosa silk comes from the Champa district of Chattisgarh. Artisans take anything between three to 5 days to weave a single piece of Kosa silk saree.  It is a kind of Tussar that is very durable and has a classy finish.

 

6. Kunbi: Goa

These chequered sarees were woven by the oldest tribe in Goa. Tribal women draped these sarees and worked on the farm-land. After the advent of the Portuguese, these sarees were much revered. However, recently the weaving of Kunbi sarees is seeing the face of a new sun.

 

7. Bandhani: Gujrat

The ancient art of making Bandhani is mastered by the Khatri tribe of Gujrat. Bandhni sarees are gorgeous, and they are made using the tie & dye technique. The most popular colors in bandhani saree are Red, Yellow, Green, and Black.

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8. Panja Durries: Haryana

The technique Panja comes from Haryana. It is specially mastered by the people in Panipat. The technique is named the tool used in the process in weaving. Panja is a complicated design and is generally woven on floor coverings. Threads that are a little thick are used to make Panja handloom creations.

 

9. Kullu Shawls: Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Tours are incomplete without owning a Kullu Shawl, which is made with three varieties of wool- Merino wool, Angora Wool and Sheep wool which is procured locally. The price of these shawls tends to be on the steeper side; still, they are pretty high in demand, both in India and globally.

 

10 Kuchai Silk: Jharkhand

Kuchai is an organic kind of silk that are found in vibrant colors. It is a signature of Jharkhand, and its demand is rising with each passing day.

 

11. Mysore Silk: Karnataka

'Mysore'- the land where the valorous Tipu Sultan ruled is the producer of one of the finest silks in India. Mysore silk sarees are characterized by their excellent quality and golden zari work that renders immense beauty on each of the apparel.

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12. Kasavu: Kerala

Kasavu saree is synonymous with a splendid form of simplicity. Traditionally these sarees are white or off-white with a golden border made of pure zari, which is especially worn on Onam, the main festival of Kerala.

 

13. Chanderi: Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi is a harmonious fusion of silk and cotton which flourished during the Mughal era. Shishupal, the cousin of Lord Krishna introduced Chanderi. Due to its super-light texture, chanderi is also called 'Woven air.'

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14. Paithani: Maharastra

The specialty of Paithani saree is that it looks the same on both sides. It comes from a district called 'Paithan' in Maharastra. These silk sarees took an immense amount of hard work to be woven and were once upon a time called 'attire for the Royals.'

 

15. Phanek: Manipur

Phanek is the traditional wear of women in Manipur. It characterizes broad striped pattern with an embroidery border. It is worn with a blouse and upper cloth.

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16. Eri Silk: Meghalaya

Eri silks are produced in an eco-friendly way, and it has shorter yarns than other silk. This type of silk has a dull gold sheen and is coveted in the eastern region of India.

 

17. Puan: Mizoram

This is a tribal attire that is mainly found in the hue of black & white with a few colored threads. It is a short skirt, and the designs can range from completely simple to absolutely intricate depending on the rank of the wearer.

19. Naga Shawls: Nagaland

These shawls are mainly woven with wool in red and black. Every region in Nagaland has its special pattern, and these serve as the traditional mark of the state.

20. Sambalpuri Saree: Odisha

The yarns of a Sambalpuri saree are first dyed and then woven into beautiful sarees having ikat designs. The regions that are hubs of Sambalpuri saree are Bargarh, Sonepur, and Sambalpur.

21. Phulkari: Punjab

The name 'phulkari' denotes 'work of flower.' It is an embroidery form that was traditionally practiced by women in Punjab. Apparels containing phulkari work are vibrant and a visual delight.

22. Shisha Work: Rajasthan

The Shisha work or the mirror work was introduced by the Mughals in the 17th century. But it has been so widely practiced in the state of Rajasthan, that it has become its own. Apart from apparels that contain mesmerizing mirror work, wall hangings are laden with extensive mirror work too in the state of Rajasthan.

 

23. Lepcha: Sikkim

The 'Lepcha' handloom work derives its name from the Lepcha tribe in Sikkim. The basic fabric is cotton; wool is used to make several motifs over the cotton canvas and give it an aesthetic charm.

 

24. Kanjivaram Silk: Tamil Nadu

The hallmark of a true Kanjivaram saree is the finest quality silk and pure gold and silver zari used to weave its borders, motifs, and pallu. Amon all the silks that are available in India Kanjivaram remains to be the most revered one because of its excellent quality and a lustrous sheen.

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25. Pochampally Ikat: Telangana

The Pochampally village is a World Heritage site declared by UNESCO, because of the conglomeration of over 5000 looms in the village, dedicated to weaving apparels with Pochampally Ikat motifs.

 

26. Pachra: Tripura

Pachra hails from Tripura and is a long waist cloth that descends till the knees. It is worn with Risi by women in the state. The beautiful handloom of Pachra is generally found in vibrant colors.

 

27. Uttar Pradesh: Chikankari

Chikankari flourished during the times of Noor Jahan in Lucknow. This handloom art consists if extensive embroidery of floral motifs on various fabrics. It was traditionally made of a white woven work on white fabric, but now chikankari work is found in all hues.

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28. Tant: West Bengal

Tant is basically cotton that has been processed and starched to prevent from shrinking. Tant is a delicate fabric on which various motifs are women. It is a graceful type of saree fabric that is widely worn by women in West Bengal.

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