Chanderi Sarees - A Royal Heritage

Chanderi Village near Ashoknagar, Madya Pradesh(MP) produces super light sarees with a oft translucence unique to the cloth. The weavers of Chanderi use Cotton and Silk to create dazzling weaves, distinguished by beautiful borders. These light cotton sarees are ideal for Summer. It is one of the most popular sari among the upper middle class Indian woman. The weavers of Chanderi produce mostly three kinds of sarees - Pure Silk, Cotton and Cotton silk.

In the silk Zari sarees, influences of the Varanasi (Banaras) style are visible. They generally have a rich gold border and two gold bands on the pallav. The more exclusive ones have gold checks with lotus roundels all over which are known as butis.

The history of Chanderi goes back to the Vedic period. It is believed to have founded by Lord Krishna’s cousin, Shishupal. Chanderi village is situated between the hills of Vindhyachal. The eveolution of Chanderi began in 1890’s when the weavers changed from handspun yarn to mill made yarn. Now a day many of the raw materials are even imported from countries like China.

In 1910, the royal family of Scindia brought the Chanderi Saree under their patronage. During that period only the gold thread motif made its presence in the main body of the cotton muslin saris for the first time. It slowly led to the introduction of silk yarn and over the years dobby and jacquard also came into use.

How to Take Care of Your Chanderi Saree

Chanderi Sarees are very light weighted and thin and costly too. You need to make sure that you take care of the saree well. Here are some tips on how to take care of your Chanderi Saree.

    

•   Wash with mild soap or washing gel
•       Use cool and soft water for washing. Don’t wash in hard water.
•        Dry clean for Zari work and Silk.
•        Dry in shade and always do wrong side up
•       Iron with low medium heat and in full open cloth. Never Iron with saree folded.
•      Use hangers for storing rather than keeping one above other. Don’t put pressure on saree while storing.
•      Change folds in regular intervals

    You may Also like to read about Kancheepuram Sarees