Significance: Banarasi sarees hold special significance for brides in weddings and women in festivals and are one of the traditional Indian royal dresses. It is identified with pure gold and silver zari threads, fine silk, and intricate designs. The value of Banarasi sarees ranges from thousands of rupees to lakhs of rupees.
Construction: Banarasi sarees are mainly of two types; Kaduva and Phekua. When the saree is woven on the Dharki, at the same time the second artisan makes the design from Sirki. It takes months to weave a Kaduva saree and the unique work of zari and silk is done in it. Whereas it does not take as much hard work to make Phekua Saree. Many types of samples are made in them. These are called 'motifs'. Some of the major traditional motifs which are still maintaining their identity in their Banarasi sarees, such as Booty, Buta, Koniya, Bell, Jala and Jungla, Jhaler etc. Banarasi Silk Sarees are made using different types of Silk, Cotton Silk, Mura Silk, Eric Silk, Taser Silk. The saree includes motifs inspired by nature, flora, fauna, Mughal art, religious symbols and geometric designs. Now prints and other latest trendy work in Banarasi silk saree is also seen well.
Identification: Banarasi sarees are available in a wide variety of styles, including pure silk, organza, georgette and other fabrics, the artistry and craftsmanship involved in making Banarasi sarees has given them GI tag, GI tags i.e. Geographical Indication Tag There is a label in which a product is given a special geographical identity which is due to that origin, these features do not occur in others. This ensures their authenticity and preserves the legacy of this traditional Indian dress. If you touch Banarasi silk with your fingers for a long time, you will feel hot. When viewed from different angles, they appear in different colors. The pallu of Banarasi silk saree is always 6 to 8 inches long. If there is not much zari work on Banarasi silk saree, then you can also put the saree in the ring and cross it because it is very soft and light. With the help of QR code, you can get complete information about the saree.
History: The main center of Banarasi sarees is Banaras. In the native story of 300 BC, there is a mention of buying and selling of clothes on the banks of the Ganges and Hiranya in Rigveda. Which is considered to be the work of zari on silk. It got a special recognition during the Mughal period, when Akbar promoted its development by showing interest in it. This art was used to make patka, sherwani, turban, safa, dupatta, bed-sheet, masand etc. Various types of designs were put in sarees by handloom artisans from Iran, Iraq, Bukhara Sharif etc. Bell, Booty, Aanchal and Koniya etc. Graph papers and maps are used to prepare it at earlier, after that Dabi and Jacard were used which was not traditional and at present it has developed as a power-loom. It is also believed that Banarasi sarees were started in Mubarakpur village of Azamgarh. In Azamgarh, weavers used to make these sarees and sell it to Banaras, hence these sarees are called Banarasi sarees. This art has been kept alive by the artisans of Banaras (Varanasi), Mirzapur, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Sant Ravidasnagar, Mau (Khairabad), and Azamgarh (Mubarakpur) of Uttar Pradesh.
