Paithani Sarees

India has a long history with handwoven sarees and clothes. Its history goes back many centuries, as long as to the era of Ramayana and Mahabharat. The Paithani sarees are the bride’s favourite in Maharashtra and are known as the “Queen of Sarees”. The town of Yeola in Nashik is the largest producer of Paithani sarees.

These sarees are commonly worn on joyous occasions like weddings, festivals, and customary rites. In India, many women also enjoy wearing them daily, usually paired with a blouse and petticoat. Despite being made in Maharashtra, these are well-liked throughout India.

History of Paithani Sarees

Its origin goes back to the 2nd century BC to the era of the Satavahana Empire. Initially, it was made using gold wire and silk or cotton fabric. Due to its origins in the ancient city of Pratishthan, which is now known as Paithan, Paithani was also known as "Pratishthani". There are additional references to Paithani in numerous old Buddhist and Hindu scriptures. Another name for Paithani is "Dev Vastra", as it is also called the fabric of god.

Handwoven in Paithan, the original Paithani saree was designed for affluent consumers. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the Peshwas, and the Nizams were largely responsible for the saree's widespread popularity as one of the most prized fabrics in the area.

How is Paithani Saree Made?

Weaving the pallu, either with silk warp or with zari is the first stage in creating a saree. The saree is known for its lovely and delicate borders, therefore this phase takes the longest because it is so intricate. Depending on the design or theme being constructed, it can take two days to two weeks to complete the pallu. The pallu is woven by highly trained craftspeople alone.

The saree's body is then woven, and both edges have unique borders. Even though the designs are usually always pre-made, the weaver is free to add original parts as long as the total number of threads stays constant. Managing the bana and tana is an equally crucial phase in the procedure. Every three to four inches around the body, the zari is polished to maintain its stiffness using a solution of gum and water. Another goal of this procedure is to seal any loose threads. The main elements used for polishing are sticky materials like gum, jaggery, etc., combined with a variety of other chemicals that, strangely enough, don't leave stains on the cloth.