Gujrati Saris

On popular demand, I am reviving the sari series before moving on to the next step in the sequence. Today I shall talk about a Sari that is simple, practical and immensely popular; the Gujrati sari.

There are different varieties of saris, made in different states in India. Each state has its unique saris and they all are so beautiful that it is difficult to choose from amongst them. The state of Gujrat in Western India is known for its rich cultural heritage, and its saris are quite popular in the country and beyond. The state of Gujarat produces many beautiful saris like the bandhani sari, the bandhej sari, the panetar sari and the famous gharchola sari.

Creating the bandhani sari is an ancient art that has been passed down for generations. It involves a tying and dyeing technique, in which materials like beads, grains, and grams are used to tie the fabric in intricate patterns. This prevents the color from seeping into the areas which are tied. It is then dyed in one or more colors and when the tied cloth is opened a beautiful, abstract design is formed. They are dyed in bright colors and may have a zari border. The sari may be further decorated with mirror work and gota patti.

The panetar sari is a variation of the bandhini sari. It has a white ground with a red bandhani border, and is popular amongst the locals. Its contrasting rich colors make it an interesting part of any sari lover’s collection.

The most elaborate of Gujrati saris is the Garhchola. A Gujrati bride usually wears the gharchola sari for her wedding. It is a traditionally a red bandani sari with golden squares woven in it, having beautiful motifs woven between the squares. The number of squares have a ritual significance and are in the multiples of 9, 12, or 52. These days’ gharcholas are available in different colors also such as green and yellow. The traditional gharchola saris were earlier made of cotton but now silk is also used to give it a richer look.

These saris may be bought across the counters at sari showrooms or they can be bought online from India specific online sales portals like indiaselections.com.