For the contemporary Indian woman, an original Banarasi silk saree is indeed a valued possession of unsurpassed quality and timeless charm that will last her well for generations.
However, when you buy a Banarasi saree online, you need to check some criteria. Genuine Banarasi sarees are one-of-a-kind, handwoven from the purest silk yarn with meticulous attention to detail by skilled artisan weavers.
Regrettably, there are also low-cost Banarasi saree imitations on the market. These low-quality sarees can fool a naive customer into thinking they’re the real deal.
Handwoven Banarasi sarees have waves inside the warp yarns, but machine-woven sarees would have a glossy surface. While this method can only be employed when purchasing a Banarasi saree in person, there are practical techniques to verify a saree’s authenticity when shopping online.
To make sure you’re only buying genuine, heirloom-quality Banarasi sarees, use this expert checklist from Mystic Weaves.
Banarasi is mentioned in Mahabharata’s legendary literature as well as Buddhist scriptures. The Mughal Empire brought it to India. As a result, the exquisite weaving and motifs of Banarasi are influenced by the Mughals.
The saree features Islamic elements such as blossoms and foliate themes, a chain of leaves, and traditional stonework. The saree is quite hefty due to the extravagant and exquisite embroidery of gold and silver threads.
Banarasi is woven using two different techniques: Kadhua and Fekuan. Kaduna is a one-of-a-kind handloom that can only be found in the Banaras region. These elaborate motifs are only feasible on handwoven sarees and cannot be replicated on a power loom.
Each motif is weaved by hand. This time-consuming and labor-intensive method is the pinnacle of handloom brocade weaving in India. It necessitates exceptional agility and grace.
A patch of Kadhuan woven Banarasi saree takes at least three people three to four months to finish. The Fekuan technique allows one person to weave a plain saree. When you are about to buy a Banarasi saree online, you must check the following.
Motifs from Persia are present
The saree’s intricate details will reveal if it is an original Banarasi sari or not. Mughal-inspired designs such as the domak, amru, and ambi distinguish Banarasi sarees. It may also include Zari floral and foliage themes such as kalga and bel. Duplicate sarees will not have these lovely embellishments.
In terms of price
Pristine Banarasi sarees are characterized by high pure silk plus golden threads made from costly gold and silver alloys. Weaving Banarasi is a very time-consuming procedure that might take months or even years.
Original Banarasi sarees are much costlier which is why this lengthy procedure. So, if you see an inexpensive Banarasi saree, it’s probably a fake. Remember that if something appears to be too worth a try, it probably is.
On the pallu, a patch of simple silk
When buying products online, you’ll have to trust photographs of the saree. Look for a lengthy portion of 6-8 inches with simple silky embroidery on the pallu in the close-up shot. This portion should be easy to recognize as it passes over the shoulder.
Customer feedback and testimonials
Check out the seller’s internet evaluations and feedback before you spend a lot of money on a Banarasi saree. Check the seller’s social networking accounts and internet reviews to ensure they only offer genuine Banarasi sarees.
When you think of buying Banarasi saree online, you will be provided extensive and accurate details regarding the products they sell. In addition, they can show you more information about the fabric and manufacture of each item they sell.
