For everyday wear or celebrations, the classic saree can be incorporated into any style of dress effortlessly. That’s not even the greatest feature! It’s the fact that this Indian-inspired design comes in a variety of variations is what makes us swoon every time. The drape is available from North to South; each state has their own version of the drape, and all equally impressive. In this blog we’ll concentrate on one of the amazing styles that is the Paithani. While the kinds of sarees in the paithani are numerous, there is one thing that remains constant that they’re all lavish and are a major part of Maharashtrian cultural traditions.
The origins of the style are from Aurangabad, Maharashtra, a Paithani dress is an absolute beautiful sight and so is the lady wearing it. The royal family of Paithan were awestruck by this beauty as did the brides! In keeping with the same cultural significance, it’s also known as”the Queen of Sarees by a few. Utilizing silk threads made of pure silk along with silver Zari it’s an exquisite brocade saree made by hand using old-fashioned tapestry methods. While it’s on the high end of the spectrum, it’s an investment worth it! Let’s look at the motives for it.
What’s special about the paithani Saree?
A reference to “royalty” in the past, The Paithani has now played a significant part in every Maharashtrian wedding. You can ask the Maharashtrian bride-to-be or Mother of the Bride to discuss how important it is to have a Paithani and you’ll get a heart-warming answer! Paithani is a precious item to behold and own and passed down from generation to another in order to keep the legacy of its creator alive. The greatest thing about different types of Paithani sarees is that they are nearly identical on both sides , and sparkle in the sunlight or in the spotlight. It makes the wearer appear radiant due to its gorgeous colors and sparkling style, this saree is interspersed with Maharashtrian style.
How do we determine the purest Paithani?
While genuine Paithani is created using 100% silk and Zari the increasing demand for cheap sarees also has led to imitations that look like the masterpiece, but aren’t. While some salesmen are clear about this, others may even attempt to fool the first-time Paithani purchaser. This is the reason it’s essential to know how to recognize a fake drape before you decide to go for it and purchase one.
The best way to differentiate between blend and a pure Paithani is knowing the key design elements. Paithani is a hand-woven silk saree that has the rich Zari threads made of silver or gold along the borders and pallu. What makes the different types of Paithani sarees apart from other sarees is the unique weaving technique used. The entire process, from yarn dyeing to weaving is performed by hand by skilled artisans from India. Handlooms are employed to weave the main part of the saree. The silk used to weave these sarees is very delicate and fine.
The motif and design creation process is also quite unique. They are created by interlocking and tying the threads of color to the warp of the weaving loom. As we have mentioned earlier the reverse of the fabric, as well as the designer is very similar to the top side. The patterns, in a literal sense, appear as if they were embedded into the fabric.
There are no two Paithani sarees that are alike. Like, yes but not identical because they’re hand-made. This means that there are substantial variations. It’s not the case with fake Paithani designs, as they are mass-produced, and hence can be the same. Another method to distinguish genuine from counterfeit is by looking at the reverse of the handwoven saree, and specifically the pallu. The reverse of the original is exactly like the top side.
Since a genuine Paithani saree is made of the natural colors, dyes and dyes with gold and silver Zari threads, it is quite heavy and requires a lot of caution and attention to detail. What are the less expensive, machine-made alternatives? Nope.
The mass-produced versions of Paithani sarees are made with less than 15 working days however authentic ones may take months or even a whole year according to the style.
Which shade of Paithani is the best?
A Paithani saree is renowned for its distinctive blend of patterns and colors. Many people from all across the globe travel to India and bring home gorgeous Paithani drapes as souvenirs. If you’re among the people who have come to India, it is important to be aware of the colors this saree is renowned for. The most popular hues include kali chandrakala (jet the color of a black saree that has a red border), Raghu (parrot green color) as well as Shirodak (pure white).
Different types of Paithani Sarees With Images
There are a variety of paithani saree styles that one could choose from! The saree lover will most likely choose those that are most beautiful of all. We take a look at different versions of this classic that belong to the top styles of silk sarees.
Bangdi Mor Paithani Saree
The various types of sarees available in India are famous for their patterns drawn from nature and illustrated using embroidery, prints or any other form of. With this in mind the Paithani Saree Types are also embellished with peacock designs while providing a vital jewelry element called a bangle a.k.a Bangdi in Marathi. They join to create an intricate peacock in the form of the Bangle.
It is believed to be among the most difficult designs to weave, and it is rightly so. It features a gold zari temple border and genuine mor bangdi designs Four peacocks within the bangle, it is among the oldest forms. This gold-colored zari tissue pallu features beautiful akruti patterns of peacocks, flowers and mor bangdi as well as muniya-inspired motifs.
Ekdhoti Weave Paithani Sari
The weaving process of this saree is truly amazing and you will be able to agree. A single shuttle is utilized to weave the weft. Its color may not be identical to the yarn used for weaving. These kinds of Paithani Sarees feature an Indian border as well as simple butti designs such as peas or coins.
Brocade Paithani
Brocade is woven and pattern-based, and is one of the most expensive fabrics. In contrast to embroidery brocade patterns are weaved in the cloth. Brocade has a long-standing tradition of making an ideal Banarasi saree and is used across different styles and. Although traditionally brocade was used for decorative purposes but with the increasing interest and awareness in Gen Z it’s now frequently utilized.
When brocade is the word for Paithani the edge of the saree can be decorated with this gorgeous and extravagant fabric. More intricate designs have more expensive prices, while simpler work is available at lower prices. But the saree isn’t cheap due to the quality of workmanship and the materials employed.
Munia Brocade Paithani
Nature-inspired motifs as the source of inspiration are popular within Indian artists and artisans. Similar to Bangdi Mor , the Munia Brocade Paithani is also crafted with an identical approach to nature. It features “Munia” translating to parrot in Marathi the saree has patterns of the famous bird weaved into the pallu as well as the border as well. They are usually leaf-colored, and are also known locally in the local dialect as “tota-maina”.
Complex designs require a long time to create This is the reason this saree is in the middle of the spectrum. The green accents add an elegant and sophisticated look, making one feel in awe upon one glance!
Retracing its History
The weaving of different varieties of Paithani sarees is a two thousand years old practice that is a tradition that dates from the Satavahana Dynasty. The tradition is rooted in a town called “Pratishthan,” now called Paithan. It is located in Marathwada approximately 50 kilometers away from Aurangabad.
At the time, Pratishtan used to be an important trading center for silk and zari and also exporting cotton along with silk and cotton to the Roman Empire. The name Paithani could be traced back to the city.
In the 17th Century, the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb also encouraged & encouraged the art of weaving Paithani. The designs of the ‘Aurangzebi’ were created specifically for him and have been popular to this day. The great Madhavrao Peshwe carried the traditions of Paithani forward following the Mughals.
It was Peshwas who sparked an attitude of pride among Paithani in the ranks of Maharashtrians.
Then afterward, the Nizam of Hyderabad was an admirer of Paithani and a special motif was designed to honor the two. But after the rise of the British Raj, Paithani saw some decline. Weavers from Yeola preserved the craft by experimenting with their own methods. The artisans from Paithan moved to Yeola. This is the reason for the commitment shown by the weavers that this art form is in existence and has been since the last few years.
Now, fast forward to today, Yeola is now the principal center to be used for Paithani weaving.
What is Paithani Produced?
The first step in the process of making different kinds of Paithani saree is weaving the pallu in silk warp or Zari. This procedure takes the most time since it is extremely complex. The saree itself is renowned for its intricate details and extravagant borders.
The pallu will take between two days to two weeks to complete. Only highly skilled artisans are employed for weaving the pallu with perfection.
Its body is made next, and has a standout bordering on the two sides. The designs are usually there, however the weaver is able to incorporate distinctive elements provided they ensure there is a thread count stays the same. Making sure that the bana and the tana are handled is an essential element to the entire process.
At the end of each 3-4 inches, a mix of water and gum is applied to smooth the zari while keeping it in place. It’s aimed at sealing loose threads. In the first place, sticky substances such as jaggery, gum. can be used to polish, as well as various other ingredients that do not leave a mark in the material.
Helping Paithani Saree
Handloom Paithani sarees are very delicate because of the use in pure silk as well as Zari. In order to keep them for a long time there are some things to do. Here’s how you can take care of your Paithani and show it the care and attention it deserves.
- To protect yourself from dust and other damage to the exterior It is always recommended to keep the Paithani saree in a Muslin cloth.
- Do not use naphthalene balls, or any type of chemical.
- Do not spill any liquids on your Paithani dress is a strict no-no.
- Never use plastic or regular cardboard box to store your saree.
- Make sure that there is a good circulation of air during the time that the saree is stored.
- Make sure to change the folds at the end of each use.
- Be sure to protect it from the elements, especially in the monsoon season.
The Indian saree is world-renowned. While there are more than 100 varieties of the drape, the original styles remain present in the hearts as well as the closets of every Indian woman. If you’re one who is a fan of draping with passion make sure you buy a variety of Paithani sarees.
