Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India, is famous, besides
many other things, for its Madurai Cotton Sarees. A handloom creation of
Saurashtrians (migrants from Gujarat, India), who settled in Madurai, about a
century ago, the Madurai Sarees are woven from highly mercerized cotton and
block printed. They are known as Sungari or Sungudi.
A 100%
cotton fabric, dyed by natural colours by extraction from leaves, the Madurai
Cotton Saree is designed with many tiny dots on the main body, with detailed
embroidery work on the borders. The colour of the border generally contrasts
that of the body.
Thin, light
and made of pure cotton or polyester cotton, the Madurai Cotton has the ability
to absorb heat and is best for summers or hot climatic conditions. Excellent properties
are that it does not cause any allergy, is inexpensive and very easy to
maintain.
Notable characteristics
of the Madurai Cotton Saree, are its more than usual length of forty eight
inches compared to the standard Saree length of forty four inches and a dotted
multi-coloured border. It shares similarity with the Bandhani type Sarees which
also uses the tie-dye process but the method of application and the dots differ.
Affordably priced, the
Madurai Saree, a fabric once worn for its simplicity and comfort by middle aged
and elderly women and mostly on festival days and special occasions, has
undergone a sea change. Trendy designs and patterns with exquisite borders and
attractive motifs have given the Madurai Sungari a new look, making it a
must-buy for all age groups and a widely accepted choice for daily and occasion
wear.
Modern patterns adorn this Madurai fabric, with
peacock, butterfly and nature being the motifs, woven in one or two colours,
being the most popular. No wonder this version of the Madurai Cotton Saree is a
hit with college goers and corporate ladies as a refreshing change during the
hot weather.
There are other delightful varieties also of this
South Indian Cotton Saree.
Creeper motifs and naksi zari border with an
elegant printed pallu on the Madurai Saree is preferred wear for daily casual
and office during the summer season. Summer Madurai cotton saris with tie-dye
printed bird motifs and attractive printed borders are alluring and suit
teachers, professors, home makers and busy mothers nicely.
A stylish twist is the Saree with circular prints on a colourful body,
giving it an out of the way look and making it appropriate for dinners and
parties.
The Madurai Cotton Saree derives its look from the mercerized cotton
that is used for the fabric. Mercerization is the treatment for the
cotton fabric that gives it the lustre and strength. The process causes the
cotton fibre to swell and increase in area, brings a reflected shine on it and
makes it softer. It also makes the yarn attain a better affinity to dyes and
develop a resistance to molds which thrive on organic substances.
The longer the cotton fibre better would be the mercerization. Crochet
work comes out fine with mercerized cotton hence beautiful embroideries are
created on the Madurai Cotton Saree.
Lint
accumulation, or the detaching of short bundled fibres in fabrics such as
cotton, is what is to be guarded against in the washing of these Cotton sarees.
A growing population of Saree lovers, sustained by
the efforts of a devoted and skilled workforce and encouraged by a supportive
government with its promoting policies are all contributing factors for the
pride of place that the Madurai Cotton Saree holds today.
Online websites such as Unnati
Silks, have a large collection of traditional and trendy
Madurai Cotton Handloom Sarees, with beautiful prints, broad borders and
exquisite pallus using mesmerizing colours, meant to please. They could be one
of the answers to getting these Cotton Sarees of choice and quality, at
reasonable prices.
