WHY BANARASI SAREES IS FAMOUS AND HOW TO IDENTIFY PURE BANARASI SAREE

A woman draped in a green floral print organza saree with Kanchi border

Indian women have traditionally adored Banarasi sarees, and their lustrous beauty has won the hearts of many. Banarasi sarees are popular among women of all ages, religions, and nationalities. In each situation, it reflects your sophistication and luxury on any occasion.

The delicate and sophisticated designs woven throughout the six yards of this ethnic clothing make this saree gorgeous. The hand weaving techniques that are still practised in Varanasi are a testament to the weavers’ tradition. On a banarasi saree, gold and silver zari threads are woven to create enticing motifs. 

The stunning banarasi bridal sarees are handcrafted with zari, Kora, and other elements and are fashioned from finely woven silk. Banarasi sarees are famous all over the world for their gold, zari, and silver handwork, as well as their natural silk and exquisite embroidery.

A woman draped into a sea-green organza silk saree with silver zari embroidery

Why are Banarasi sarees so famous? 

Any woman’s desire to look her best in her wedding gown or any gathering has always been a priority. This guide will assist you in selecting the best fabric for your wedding attire and other occasions by distinguishing a pure banarasi silk saree from a fake one.

Despite their reputation as a traditional garment, Banarasi sarees are often regarded as one of the best wedding attire of all time. 

You may get a wide range of pure silk Banarasi sarees online that you may not be aware of. In this post, you’ll learn how to spot the difference between a pure silk Banarasi saree and a fake Banarasi saree. 

Eight Tips on how to identify a pure banarasi silk saree

Banarasi saris have been a source of pride for every Indian woman since the Mughal era. Banarasi sarees are also an essential element of India’s rich cultural heritage. 

In recent years, low-cost Chinese replicas of Banarasi sarees have made their way into Indian marketplaces undermining the value of handcrafted pure banarasi silk sarees.

The market share of Indian craftsmen in Varanasi has shrunk as a result of this. The introduction of power loom sarees also contributes to this fall. Varanasi, a timeless city in Uttar Pradesh, is known as the Banarasi saree weaving capital.

Most people cannot differentiate between a genuine Banarasi sari and a fake one. Many people mistake a low-cost Chinese-made Banarasi saree for the real thing.

Here are some expert tips from Chinaya Banaras to identify an authentic banarasi silk saree so that you do not fall prey to such tricks.

Certificates from Local Agencies

Local agencies often sell fake sarees posing them as real banarasi sarees as the customer does not demand any proof of originality.

Buying from firms that have certificates from local agencies for using pure silk is the easiest method to tell if a handcrafted product is from India or not.

Look for the kind of embroidery on the banarasi saree

The quality of embroidery on the piece of art can determine if the chikankari on your banarasi saree is by machine or is handcrafted. The cloth will feature French knots, shadow thread, and criss-cross needlework if it is hand-weaved. These embroideries are rare in machine-made ones.

      A woman draped into a handloom yellow organza saree with Kanchi border

Pay close attention to the color and intricacy of patola-weaving

The patola weaving technique has spread far and wide, and patola-weaved garments may be found in Indonesia and Japan. The colors and themes in India, on the other hand, are significantly different.

The patola weaving in Gujarat consists of patterns such as flower, dancing figures, geometrical patterns, bird designs or just plain dark colored borders and body. 

The patola weaving originated in Gujarat but the design of double ikat could be replicated once somebody gains perfection at the process of the patola technique. 

Always Look for the reverse side of the banarasi saree

It is always easier to differentiate between handcrafted banarasi sarees and machine-made sarees by looking at the underside of the saree. Warps and weft grids will be evident in the handwoven sarees.

These signatures of loom woven banarasi sarees, such as pin markings used to attach the saree to the loom, will not be found on machine woven sarees.

A pure red banarasi silk saree with classic paithani border

The appearance of hanging threads

The pallu and its border distinguish a machine-made sari from a handwoven one. In a handwoven piece, the reverse of the pallu or border of the saree is a reproduction. A machine-made one will have a lot of threads dangling from it.

There are many restrictions in machine-manufactured banarasi sarees, such as color, design sharpness, and complexity.

The consistency of the prints

Authentic hand block prints will have minor printing defects and a few additional colors strewn about. In addition, there will be unique designs in brilliant colors, although printed designs will be 100% consistent, giving away the duplicity of a fake banarasi saree.

A patch of plain silk

Another way to tell if a sari is genuine Banarasi is to look for a six to an eight-inch long piece of plain silk on the pallu.

Presence of Mughal patterns

Mughal motifs such as amru, Ambi, and domak commonly appear on authentic banarasi silk saris. These Indian handcrafted Persian motifs are rare on a faux Banarasi saree.

A woman draped into a yellow katan silk saree with silver zari

These pure banarasi silk sarees will never let you down. Even though they have become the go-to look for every modern Indian woman, you should see something new every time, which is why they are so popular these days.

A Banarasi has become a must-have for every woman.Check out the timeless collection of authentic Banarasi sarees from Chinaya Banaras to look elegant on any occasion without the doubt of a fake banarasi saree.