Chanderi Weave: A Delicate Work Of Stunning Intricacy

by Curated Article
December 01, 2022
4 min read

Ajrakh Block Printing

Bihar Sujani Embroidery

Bijnor Weaving

Bengal Paper Mache Craft

Banaras Toy Craft

Banarasi Weaving

Bastar Wrought Iron Craft

Copper Bell Decoration Product

Crewel Embroidery

Crochet Work Product

Channapatna Jewellery & Toys

Dharwad Weaving

Dhakai Jamdani Weaving

Hand Knitted Woolens from Uttarakhand

kalamkari Block Printing

Kashidakari Embroidery

Kashida Weaving

Kalighat Folk Art

Kasuti Embroidery

Kutch Kala Organic Cotton Weaving

Kutch Applique

Leather Craft

Kota Doria Weaving

Kashmir Paper Mache Craft

Kashmir Leather Craft

Kashmir Enamel Work

Kutchi Embroidery Craft

Handmade Lacquer Wooden Craft

Madhubani Paper Mache Craft

Nandana Block Printing

Natural Flower Art Work

Phulkari Embroidery

Pochampally ikat Weaving

Patchwork Products at iTokri

Paper Quilling

Phad Folk Art

Quilted Applique

Rajasthan Kantha Work

Rajasthan Meenakari Work

Rajasthan Coconut Shell

Rogan Art

Sanganeri Block Printing

Shibori Tie & Dye

srikakulam jamdani

Srikalahasti Penwork Kalamkari

Shantiniketan Leather Craft

Sambalpuri Ikat Weaving

Handmade Upcycled Products

Uttarakhand Kantha Work

Handcarved Wooden Cutlery of Udayagiri, Andhra

Assam Water Hyacinth Craft

Wood Carving Collection

Tribal Hand Embroidery

Handmade Traditional Copper & Brass Products

Bengal Block Printing

Bindaas Block Art Prints

Basohli Folk Art

Warli Folk Art

Kutch Bhujodi Weaving

Kutch Weaving

Kolhapur Leather Craft

Silver Collection

Jahota Block Printing

Oxidised Jewellery Metal Craft

Maniabandha Ikat Weaving

Puttapaka Ikat Weaving

Puppet

Jaipur Printing

Kalamkari Screen Printing

Handmade & Handcrafted Products

Handmade Natural Grass Products

Handmade Natural Stone Products

Metalware on iTokri

Central Asian Ikat

Hand Knitted Woolens from Uttarakhand

Running Stitch

Barmer Textiles & Craft

Plain Solid Textiles

Screen Print Textiles & Craft

Handmade Upcycled Products

Leather Craft

Suzani Embroidery

by Curated Article
December 01, 2022
4 min read

Elegant Chanderi Silk Sarees – Shop Authentic Styles

Chanderi Silk Sarees – Craftsmanship & Quality

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 08

₹ 3,990

Light Brown - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 13

₹ 3,990

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 14

₹ 3,990

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 07

₹ 3,990

Brown - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 09

₹ 3,990

Pink - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 11

₹ 3,990

Red - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 12

₹ 3,990

Light Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 10

₹ 3,990

Chanderi Weaving

from Madhya Pradesh

Red - Handloom Silk Cotton Zari Buti Chanderi Fabric 05

₹ 1,850/Meter

₹ 925

White - Handloom Silk Cotton Meena Zari Buta Chanderi Fabric 04

₹ 2,350/Meter

₹ 1,175

Blue - Handloom Silk Cotton Flower Zari Buta Chanderi Fabric 03

₹ 2,250/Meter

₹ 1,125

Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Kurta With Golden Border

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Angrakha Kurta With Woven Booti

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Kurta With Golden Gota Border

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Angrakha Kurta With Golden Lakki

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Handcrafted Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Handloom Kurta

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi sarees are so delicate that they are only meant to be worn for special occasions. They are a treasure which every bride carries with her.

A woman weaves the prized Chanderi sari. (Photo courtesy of Madhya Pradesh tourism)

Chanderi, believed to be mentioned as Chaidnagar in the Puranas, is a historical town in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the northern part of the Malwa plateau. Some historians consider the 6^th century king Ched to be its founder. Mythological references to Chanderi have been traced to the Mahabharata. Shishupal, a local chieftain, challenged the coronation of Yudhisthir and was subsequently beheaded by Krishna. According to a Mahabharata tale, Raja Nala left Damyanti asleep in the forests of Narwar. She then walked through the dense foliage and reached Chaidnagar.

Chanderi doesn’t only have historical relevance. Its craft weaves a tale of tradition also. The weaving tradition that occupies pride of place in any account of Chanderi today. Its shimmering fabrics have survived through time and changing rulership. There is a mention of Chanderi weaving in the Imperial Gazetteer of India. It reads: “Chanderi has long been famous for the manufacture of delicate muslins.” The cloth is of unusual fineness and delicacy. The colored gold and silk borders are of surpassing beauty.

surpassing beauty.

Elegant Chanderi Silk Sarees – Shop Authentic Styles

Chanderi Silk Sarees – Craftsmanship & Quality

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 08

₹ 3,990

Light Brown - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 13

₹ 3,990

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 14

₹ 3,990

Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 07

₹ 3,990

Brown - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 09

₹ 3,990

Pink - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 11

₹ 3,990

Red - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 12

₹ 3,990

Light Green - Traditional Handloom Chanderi Silk Cotton Saree 10

₹ 3,990

Mughal Period Weaves

The state of Madhya Pradesh lures visitors with its glorious past, architecture, and crafts. Chanderi weaving, whose significant marks can be found in the 13th century, achieved status in the Mughal period. In the 19th century, the fabric became popular because of its fineness. It was compared with the fine muslin fabric from Dhaka. Earlier, dhoti, turban, and safa made of Chanderi were very famous in various parts of India. The saree came rather late. Pure cotton cloth was used. But he gold and silver zari, weaved in the form of motifs and borders, was originally sourced from Russia and France.

In an earlier period, weavers used the throw shuttle (made of animal horn) method for weaving. Two people at one loom used to work then. With the advancement of technology, the weavers started working on a fly shuttle pit loom. Only one craftsman would weave the sophisticated Chanderi saree. This has also increased production and the economic conditions.

The Chanderi sari dates back to the 13th century. (Photo courtesy of Madhya Pradesh Tourism)

Clothing For Courtiers

The fame of Chanderi sarees and consequently of the town that shares their name is historic. But neither the garment nor the fabric originally existed as we know them today. In fact, merchants travelling the major trade routes from Delhi through Gwalior and Ujjain to Warangal would bring a steady supply of pure, hand-spun cotton yarn, not silk, as raw material and bring back cartloads of woven cloth for safas (long scarves for weddings) and pagris (turbans). The fabric, spun as fine as 300 twill, was greatly desired in the royal courts of the north as well as the south of India. The late 15th century is replete with paintings of courtiers attired in this fabric, considered fit only for high nobility.

The Bundela Rajputs, who ruled Chanderi after the Mughals, continued the tradition of patronage of local weaving. They insisted that their royal emblem of two lions be carried on the fabrics as a mark of quality. Chanderi also made its mark on the international textile circuit, as European chronicles attest.

Jeweled Cut Work

Weaving of the saree began only in the late 18th century. Chanderi sarees competed with Jamdanis and were a prized possession of the aristocracy.

Some Chanderi weavers also incorporate Banaras-influenced patterns like meenakari or patella (jeweled cut work). At present, silk thread for Chanderi weaving comes from Varanasi. The cotton comes from Coimbatore and Bangalore, and gold and silver come from Surat. The techniques of weaving, using cotton in the weft and silk in the wrap, are what set the craftsmanship of these weavers apart from others. The weaves are evolving with the demand and trends, making the sarees more elegant with a traditional touch infused with modern styles. With Bagh prints, contemporary geometric patterns, and traditional motifs, Chanderi sarees are available in a variety of attractive designs.

Chanderi Weaving

from Madhya Pradesh

Red - Handloom Silk Cotton Zari Buti Chanderi Fabric 05

₹ 1,850/Meter

₹ 925

White - Handloom Silk Cotton Meena Zari Buta Chanderi Fabric 04

₹ 2,350/Meter

₹ 1,175

Blue - Handloom Silk Cotton Flower Zari Buta Chanderi Fabric 03

₹ 2,250/Meter

₹ 1,125

Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Kurta With Golden Border

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Angrakha Kurta With Woven Booti

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Kurta With Golden Gota Border

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Chanderi Angrakha Kurta With Golden Lakki

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Handcrafted Chanderi Zardozi Embroidery Handloom Kurta

₹ 4,500

~~₹ 0~~ ₹ 4,500

Possession Is Priceless

The pride of every Indian woman, luxurious Chanderi sarees are so delicate that they are only meant to be worn for special occasions. They are a treasure which every bride carries with her. The demand for intricate designs is still in vogue and, accordingly, the price can go up in lakhs. The expertise of the weavers matters most!

There is an interesting story which reflects the fineness of the fabric. Emperor Akbar was presented a small hollow of bamboo which had a length of Chanderi weaved cloth. When it was spread out, the emperor was surprised to see that the cloth could cover even an elephant!

Resonating sounds of the working looms in the “Bunkaar colony,” situated in the “Bahar Shahar”, or outer area, produce a rhythmic music. And it is an unusual sight to witness that weaving, where a single thread is placed with careful counting. Although mostly male weavers dominate this industry, women are involved in the winding, weeding, and joining the warp.

This content is originally posted at India Currents