Silk Weaving - Kanchipuram
Introduction:
Kanchipuram silk saris are exclusively known for rich gold borders and dense brocades in contrast colors. More than 150 years of traditional weaving of Kanchipuram is purely hand woven from the processed silk yarn and Zari– the silk thread made of silver and gold. Kanchipuram specialized in ‘Murukku pattu’, a heavy silk sari which is woven with twisted three-ply silk yarn and Zari on fly-shuttle pit looms. The contrast borders are achieved by Korvai technique. There are more than 45,000 expertise weavers in Kanchipuram. Weavers are from Padma Saliyar and the Pattu Saliyar community. Almost all local families are engaged in different production processes such as silk weaving, warping, spinning, twisting and dyeing.
Place:
Kanchipuram is also known as Kanchi is located 72 Km away from Chennai in Tamilnadu. The place is also known as “City of 1000 temples” as the city has more than 1000 temples. The Kanchipuram silk saris have become very popular all over the world. Silk weaves of Kanchipuram has ancient history for its rich weaving and the tradition. The city is the major centre for producing silk saris with 5000 weaving families.
The silk weaving is also done in some other parts of Tamil Nadu such as Rasipuram, Mannarkudi, Kumbakonam, Thirubuvanam and Arni. All these areas follow the weaving techniques of the Kanchipuram but they are lighter in weight when compared to Kanchi saris.
