It is amazing what man can create with his hands and one such example is hand woven cloth. Throughout India there are handlooms where cloth is woven through an interesting process. The interlacing of threads will leave you flabbergasted but it is the final product that is truly beautiful.

Years back the process of weaving was much more complicated and needed two people at the loom but with the introduction of the flying shuttle the speed and efficiency of weaving improved. Today cloth can be woven with just one hand reducing man power and increasing efficiency of production.

This technique became very popular when the British invaded India as they started developing handlooms throughout the country for their own benefit. Today the handloom industry in kerala has become very prosperous. They produce the famous kasavu saree which is popular for its texture and its golden borders. There are hundreds of variations in fabric, texture and design in a handloom saree depending on the region from where it is produced. Some of the most famous ones are the Pasapali, Barpali, Sonepuri, Bomkai and the Bapta.

In the traditional Sambalpuri saree, the threads are firstly tie-dyed and then woven into four or nine yards of unstitched cloth. It is a tedious process which could take weeks but the outcome is extravagant. The most common patterns on a handloom saree are floral, landscapes or geometrical patterns. Many of these sarees also have a tribal pattern. The creation of these patterns is an art in itself. The weaver has to first tie the yarns in a particular way in order to create the pattern and only then can he dye the yarns. An extremely skilled craftsman is also able to convey meaningful messages through this tie-dyed technique.



While it might seem like an ancient technology, sarees produced from handlooms have a unique quality altogether. You would definitely feel special wearing something that has taken skill, patience and a lot of dedication to create. These sarees are usually semi-transparent and have a crisp finish. They are comfortable to wear being lightweight and airy. The borders of the saree and pallu are the main highlights as they often have bold ornamental designs. Most sarees even have zari work done on the borders for a rich look.

The handloom sarees available today are far different from the ones we got in the past. You can easily find beautiful multi-coloured sarees these days. The designs and patterns have also gotten more modernised. A woman in a handloom saree commands a certain respect. She seems much more dignified and that’s probably why it has been popular with many Indian royals as well as many women politicians. India’s Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi often wore handloom sarees after which it gained popularity among women across the country.

Zohraa.com has the finest collection of handloom sarees online from which you can easily pick your favourite and order online. Get a special handloom saree delivered to your doorstep today!

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