Get Your Own Divine Saree Handloom: 10 Sarees That Showcase The Wonder Of Indian Handloom Heritage

Sarees are one of the oldest surviving unstitched garments and gaining in popularity every day. In India making sarees are considered an art form. The traditional method of weaving sarees in India is on a handloom and in spite of machines which can churn out huge quantities of sari in minutes; the traditional method still continues to be popular. Weavers in every corner of the country have their own unique technique of weaving a sari. It is believed that the art of weaving cotton into fabric came to India from the Mesopotamian civilisation. The men and women of the Indus Valley Civilisation were therefore familiar with cotton fabrics. When the Aryans migrated to India, they too started wearing cotton and silk weaves. The traditional handloom industry of India has always been highly labour intensive and caste based.

If you love sarees then you must already be fond of handloom. If you are not yet a handloom fan then let us give you a few reasons why you should be.

You can find handloom sarees in a lot of places in India. There are flea markets, small shops, state owned emporiums and also chain stores like Fabindia which sell handloom sarees and fabrics. There are also a lot of NGOs who are working towards the revival of the handloom and also making sure that the weavers get the pay that they deserve. These organisations also have their outlet stores. But if you want an easy way to shop for handloom sarees then we would suggest that you look online. There are numerous websites that sell handloom sarees and fabrics and at reasonable prices. You can even find great deals and discounts when you shop online.

If your favourite look is traditional then handloom sarees can be your go-to piece. Here are 10 of the most popular handloom sarees that should be a part of every sari lover’s wardrobe.

When it comes to traditional hand-woven silk sarees, Kanjeevaram holds pride of place on top of the list. This gorgeous silk sari is an all time favourite, especially in the southern part of the country. In fact come wedding season the demand for this particular fabric increases ten-fold. In Kanjivaram Sarees, either the pallu or the border or both are made separately and then joined by interlacing with the body at the time of weaving the sari. The technique used to join the pallu is called Korvai. A classic Kanjivaram saree is interlaced both at pallu and border. This beautiful red Handloom Kanjivaram Pure Silk Tissue Saree from Indie Picks is made to perfection using traditional methods. It’s so perfect that it can easily be worn on one's wedding day. This sari has a length of 5.5 m and comes with a 0.70 m blouse piece. It has traditional recurring motifs and is 100% pure silk. Buy it from Ajio for ₹16499.

The next on our list on must have handloom sarees is the world famous Banarasi sari. This gorgeous silk sari is native to the ancient town of Banaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Banarasi sarees have become synonymous with traditional wedding attire and has managed to survive to this date. This lovely pink Banarasi silk saree would become a prized addition to your sari collection. This sari has a pattern of floral buttas which is made of zari brocade and a zari border. It comes with a matching blouse piece. The sari has a length of 5.5 meters and the blouse piece measures 1.1 meters. We would suggest this sari for a bride to be or someone who likes a bit of grandeur in their life. Banarasi sarees can be a bit pricey though. This one will cost you ₹31675. But we can assure that this sari is worth the price, because of the 100% purity of the fabric. Buy it from Nalli.com.

The Baluchari sari is Bengal’s answer to the Banarasi. This type of sari originated in West Bengal and is known for the representations of mythological scenes on the pallu of the sari. Earlier it was mainly produced in the town of Murshidabad. But Baluchari centers have now shifted to the area of Bishnupur and its surroundings. These are the only places in West Bengal where authentic Baluchuri saris are produced. In fact the Baluchari Sari’s popularity has resulted in it being granted the status of a geographical indicator. Therefore this beautiful blue Baluchari sari from Nalli would be a lovely addition to your closet. This exquisite sari has zari and thread butta on the body and a zari border. The pallu has the traditional mythological motifs which make this type of sari unique. The sari comes with a blouse piece measuring 0.7 meters and the sari itself is 5.4 meters. Buy it for ₹9681.

If you think that handloom sarees are always heavy on the embroidery or a bit weighty then you are probably not familiar with Chanderi sarees. Chanderi sarees derive their name from the Chanderi region in Madhya Pradesh where they are produced. They can be woven form either silk or cotton thread or sometimes a mixture of both. The motifs on these sarees are usually of coins, flowers, peacocks or geometric. These sarees are relatively lightweight and easy to handle. If you prefer simplicity and are not that fond of rich threadwork then we would suggest that you go for a Chanderi Saree. These sarees are perfect for both formal and semi formal occasions. This Cotton Silk Chanderi Ambi Palla Sari from Fabindia is a wonderful hand woven piece. This beautiful pink and blue sari will make anyone look special. The length of this sari is 6.4 meters. Buy it for ₹5999 on fabindia.com

The Muga silk is a variety of wild silk indigenous to the state of Assam. This silk is one of the strongest and most durable silk fabrics ever produced. It has a natural yellowish-golden tint with a shimmering and glossy texture. This fabric was earlier reserved for the use of royalty only. But now is widely used in making products like sarees, mekhalas and chadors which is a traditional stole or a shawl. Muga silk is historically significant as it has been in mentioned in historical texts by explorers like Huen Tsang and also in Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Get your Muga silk saree from Silkalay.com. This traditional golden hued Muga silk saree has red and black thread work. The saree features traditional embroidery and comes with a matching blouse piece. Buy it for ₹39500.

Ikat is a method of dyeing which is used to create patterns in fabrics. Numerous textile centers around the world are dedicated towards this unique art form. We have Ikat centers in India, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Africa and Latin America. Indian states have their own unique Ikat techniques which are able to produce quite diverse results. The yarn in Ikat technique is tied and dyed in designed proportions before weaving for a series of distinguishing patterns. An Ikat handloom sari would therefore be a wonderful addition to your collection. This Handloom Traditional Siminoi Cotton Ikat Saree from Priyadarshini Handloom is the perfect sari for someone who has an understated style. Siminoi is a century old weaving style originating in of Odisha. The line patterns and motifs are the unique features of this technique. The sari has a length of 5.5 m and comes with 0.7 m blouse piece. Buy this beautiful sari for ₹5499 from Ajio.

Maheshawari sarees are one of the lesser known varieties of handloom but that doesn’t mean that they are any less beautiful. These sarees are perfect for people who don’t like heavy drapes because they are lightweight and have a silken texture. Masheshwari sarees originate from the small town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh and are made by weaving cotton and pure silk fabric with zari or brocade in assorted designs. These designs may include which include stripes, checks and floral borders.

The designs on the Maheshawari sari are also often inspired from those on the fort of the historic town of Maheshwar Buy this beautiful Handloom Maheshwari Pure Silk Cotton Saree Saree from Ajio. It has a length of 5.4 m with a blouse piece measuring 0.8 m. This gorgeous red sari has a contrast border and pallu. Buy this sari for ₹2999.

Tussar silk is produced in many countries around the world including China, India, Japan, and Sri Lanka. It’s characterised by its rich texture and natural deep gold colour. It’s also one of the strongest natural fabrics ever produced. The Tussar silk weaving industry in India is located in Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar. This stunning Beige Bhagalpuri Tussar Silk Saree from Nalli is simple but elegant. This sari has a plain body and a temple border. The blue and pink border of this sari really complements the beige body of the sari. This 5.5 m saree comes with a 1.1 m matching unstitched blouse. The blouse has a stripe pattern which will make a great contrast against the plainness of the sari. Buy this authentic Tussar Saree for ₹6200 on the Nalli site.

The Jamdani sari from Bengal is one of the most unique handloom styles produced and has its own rich history. The Jamdani which is one of the finest muslin textiles of Bengal, was traditionally produced in the South Rupshi of Narayanganj district in Bangladesh. The production of Jamdani was famously patronized by imperial warrants of the Mughal emperors. But under British colonial rule, the Jamdani and muslin industries rapidly declined due to colonial trade policies favouring industrially manufactured textiles.

In the recent years though, the production of Jamdani has witnessed a revival in Bangladesh. The traditional art of weaving Jamdani has been proclaimed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity In 2016 and Bangladesh received a geographical Indication (GI) status for the Jamdani Sari. If you need any more reason to include the Jamdani sari into your wardrobe then just take a look at this beautiful piece from Ajio. The Indie Picks Handloom Bengal Jamdani Buti Saree Saree is a simple but beautiful saree which is woven by hand using tapestry weaving technique. The process requires a harmony of motion and rhythm on the part of weaver to create a unique product. This simple white saree has flower patterns all over it. The sari has a length 0f 5.5 m with a 0.8 m blouse piece, Buy it for ₹4549 on ajio.com.

Ajrak printing is a hand block printing technique which originated in Sindh, Pakistan and is now practiced in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. Ajrak is created using natural dyes. The process is laborious and lasts for up to fourteen days, but the end result is beautiful. Ajrak print sarees have an artistic quality to them which can make the wearer look beautiful and distinguished at the same time. Get this beautiful Hand Block Print Ajrak Cotton Mull Saree from Indie Picks. The sari has a length 0f 5.5 m with a 1 m blouse piece. The pallu has tassels all along it. Buy it from Ajio for ₹2400.

Sari draping is an art. But there are actually more than one way to drape a sari. In fact a sari can be draped in 85 different ways and maybe more. If you don’t know how to drape a sari then you could always learn. If you already do, then you could give the different saree draping styles a try.