Introduction

Silk has been used since ancient times for weaving garments for royalty and commoners alike. In fact, silk was so valuable that it was often used as currency during trade between countries.

But later on, it became the best choice for royal and elegant garments as silk fabrics have a lustrous sheen and shine unmatched by any other fabric material. They are also very lightweight, making them comfortable to wear even in hot weather conditions.

In India, silk is woven in the form of sarees, dupattas and stoles, kurtas, salwar suits and other apparel. Silk sarees are worn as formal attire by women all over India during festive occasions like weddings and festivals.

Indian silk sarees can be worn with matching blouse pieces in various styles, such as halter neck blouses or sleeveless tops with beautiful embellishments like sequins or embroidery work done in gold thread embroidery or zari work (gold thread embroidered motifs).

This blog will bring all the astonishing facts about silk fabric and its importance in every Indian wardrobe. Let’s begin with the history of silk in India.

History of Silk Industry in India

The history of the silk industry in India dates back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, when the ancient Indians were already weaving silk textiles. The country is also identified as one of the world’s major producers of raw silk.

Wondering, where did silk originate? Silk originated in China, and silk cultivation was introduced to India by Chinese traders during the 6th century AD. In the 12th Century AD, there was a strong trade route between China and India, which helped spread knowledge about silk farming and weaving techniques to other parts of Asia.

Types of Silks in India

In the Indian handloom industry, various types of silk are produced, of which the mulberry silk variety is primarily found in the Southern part of India. Other types of commercial silks include Tropical Tasar or Tussar, Eri silk, Muga Silk, and Oak Tasar.

These five types of commercial silk fabrics are further weaved and dyed in a variety of designs or patterns known as –

Baluchari Silk (Murshidabad, West Bengal)
Salem Silk (Tamil Nadu)
Banarasi Silk (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
Muga or Mooga Silk (Assam)
Arani Silk (Tamil Nadu)
Molakalmuru Sarees (Karnataka)
Pat or Paat Silk (Assam)
Bomkai Silk (Orissa)
Ilkal Sarees (Karnataka)
Orissa Ikat (Odisha)
Kancheepuram Silk (Tamil Nadu)
Mysore Silk (Karnataka)
Eri Silk (Assam)
Chanderi Fabric (Madya Pradesh)
Bhagalpuri or Tussar Silk (Bhagalpur, Bihar)

Types of Silk Sarees That Every Indian Woman Adores

If you are an Indian woman, you must have a collection of silk sarees in your wardrobe. Silk sarees are one of the women's most elegant and comfortable clothing items. They are available in different styles, designs, colours and patterns. In India, almost all types of ethnic wear are made of silk, such as kurtas, skirts, lehengas, salwar suits, long gowns, wedding attire etc. But silk sarees are an eternal love of Indian women. It is said that an Indian woman's wardrobe is incomplete without silk sarees.

Silk sarees can be worn on various occasions like parties, weddings and other social gatherings. They come in different types, such as Shantipuri Silk Sarees (Kalki), Banarasi Silk Sarees (Benarasi) etc. These days, buying silk sarees online is so easy that you comfortably browse through several designs and varieties from the comfort of your couch. Janardhana Silk House has thus carefully selected and showcases only the best ones for you to choose from.

The variety of silk sarees available in the market is endless. There are a variety of silk sarees that every woman adores. Different types of silk sarees are available in India, including the Banarasi Sarees, Kantha Sarees, Bandhani Sarees and many more. Here are a variety of silk sarees that every woman adores:

Banarasi Silk Sarees

Banaras, or Varanasi, is one of the oldest cities in India, known for its rich history and culture. It is also known as Kashi (meaning light). These Banarasi silks are known for their fine quality and intricate designs woven into them. They are available in all colours, but mostly bright colours like red, pink, orange and yellow are popular among women of all ages.

The reason is that Banarasi silk sarees are the first choice of bridal saree in many regions. The most famous Banarasi silk sarees include Baluchari, Jamdani and Chanderi, which were once reserved for royalty alone. Now anyone can wear them with pride since they don’t break easily even after multiple washes!

Cotton Silk Sarees

This is one of the most exemplary types of silk sarees made from pure mulberry silk yarns woven together using traditional handloom techniques, making them extremely expensive.

These sarees have intricate zari designs on them. They have an exclusive feel to them because they can only be found in specific places like Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu).

Tussar Silk Sarees

Tussar silk is considered one of the oldest known varieties of silk. The Tussar silk comes from cocoons made of gold-coloured threads found in the jungles of Odisha and Assam.

That’s why Tussar silk is also known as golden silk because it has a golden hue and is made using lightweight raw materials, making it highly comfortable to wear during summers as well as winters. In addition, Tussar silk is relatively smooth and soft compared to other types of silks. They have a good texture and look attractive and elegant when worn by women.

Chanderi Silk Sarees

Chanderi silk was originally made in Chanderi town in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The town still produces some of the most delicate silk fabrics today, but they’re also famous because Mughal emperors once wore them as ceremonial robes! Depending on their cost, these sarees feature intricate designs using zari (gold embroidery) work or mirror work.

Konrad Silk Sarees

Konrad silk is another most popular silk in India. Originated in Tamil Nadu, this fabric is made from mulberry silk, which can be dyed to create beautiful designs. The fabric is lightweight and soft with a smooth texture. These are known for their intricate designs and patterns, making them look more expensive than they actually are. This makes it perfect for formal occasions like weddings or cocktail parties.

Kota Silk Sarees

Kota silk sarees were once considered the most exclusive form of silk sarees in India because they were only available in the Kota district of Rajasthan. The fabric, however, has become more prevalent in recent years due to its luxurious look and feel. Apart from sarees, Kota silk is also used to make Salwar Kameez, Lehengas, and Home furnishings items such as curtains.

Kota silks are usually woven in bright colours such as green and purple with floral patterns on them, making them ideal for summer weddings or functions. However, lighter colours are recommended over darker ones if it’s a daytime function.

Art Silk Sarees

Art silk is nothing but Artificial Silk, as it is produced by amalgamating synthetic fibres. It is also known as Bamboo Silk. These come with an intricate design and they can be worn on any occasion or event. They are made up of pure silk with a very striking design and pattern, which makes them even more attractive than other types of silk sarees.

Jamawar Silk Sarees

Jamawar is another popular type of silk fabric which is known for its sheer beauty and elegance. It has a very fine texture with intricate design work done on it that makes it look royal and elegant at the same time. This intricate design work is unique is its own way, as the thread motifs and designs are entirely woven into the saree with no loose ends on the back, unlike other weave patterns.

Chiffon Silk Sarees

These are the softest and most comfortable kinds of silk sarees. They have a sheer look, which makes them perfect for wearing during summer or when you need to cover your body parts but still look stylish. The colour palette available in this category is quite vast and varied; you can either opt for bright colours or pick something more subtle, depending on your mood and occasion.

Buy Silk Sarees online at Janardhana Silk House

A classic look is incomplete without an elegant silk saree. The best part about these silk sarees is that they are available in different varieties like georgette, crepe, net and even chiffon at Janardhana Silk House.

The most experienced designers in India craft our collection of silk sarees. Our exclusive collection of silk sarees includes Kanchipuram silk sarees, Jamdani silk sarees, Chanderi silk sarees & more. Buy an exclusive designer collection of Indian silk sarees online at Janardhana Silk House, which will surely add more glamour to your wardrobe.