Nagaland Cotton Saree, Nagaland Saree, Cotton Saree, Nagaland Cotton saris from the North East, unnatisilks Comfortable handlooms from the north east

Nagaland State is one of the seven sisters of the North East and famous for its cotton industry.

A simple woven ethnic fabric, what lends appeal to the Nagaland Cotton Saree, are the intricately designed motifs and embroidered patterns. Straight lines, zig zag lines, squares, bands and other simple geometric shapes in varying widths and colours constitute popular patterns.

Earlier times had the woven cloth decorated with beads, cowrie shells and goat hairs to denote the wealth and status of the weaver. Modern format sees the Nagaland Cotton Saree having simple thread work and kundans, beads, mirrors and sequins adorning the fabric.

Abundance of cotton grown in the region had hill tribes engaged in spinning and weaving as an occupation and means of their livelihood, since pre-independence days. Today it is an industry.

The quality of the cotton, soft and fluffy in nature, is quite superior, owing to the organic method of farming adopted. No wonder, the fabrics woven from it are soft, light and airy.

The spinning of yarn into cotton thread done by hand earlier has now slowly been overtaken in its processing by machines. However weaving, a household industry since long is still popular and mostly done by women. The Nagaland Cotton Saris bear testimony to their exceptional skills. A simple tension loom initially used has slowly made way for the fly shuttle.

Dyeing of the fabric is also a woman’s prerogative though with the changing times and waning of interest among modern women to be in this occupation, this no longer holds true. 

Bright primary colours as red, green, yellow and blue are generally used, though other colours are also becoming popular. Known till date for the natural dyes extracted from barks, roots and plants used for dyeing cotton yarn, availability and effort in procuring them has slowly made way for chemical dyes.

Colours are significant among the hill tribes with the system of pre-dominance of a certain colour for a particular tribe, still prevalent. Each Naga tribe has distinctive patterns with certain geometric shapes and motifs associated with it. Black or white are predominant colours used. Red and green are in additional motif insertions.

Extremely novel and appealing, Nagaland Cotton Sarees are seen in a variety of forms with the traditional fabric given a modern day setting. Some examples follow.

Pure Nagaland handloom cotton saree, with artistically woven Buttis, and a zari border is a refreshing change very suitable for daily casual, and preferred mostly by corporate office-goers, professors and teachers.

The Fancy Nagaland cotton sari in block floral printed designs is elegant and apt for formal conferences and social gatherings.

Once a necessary means of living, it is transformed today into a thriving industry for cotton fabrics.

Unnati Silks, devoted to ethnic sarees and salwar kameez materials, has trendy designs, attractive patterns, pleasing colours and combinations in its wide collection of Nagaland Cotton Sarees at very reasonable prices. Dispatch is within 24 hours of order, with free delivery & COD for retail, and world-wide express shipping.  Contact: UNNATI SILK PRINTS PVT. LTD,#3-4-360, Vajra Complex, General Bazar (Tobacco Bazar), M.G.Road, Hyderabad-500003. AP,India.040-64555251 or 97000 57744. www.unnatisilks.com

The Kerala handloom Cotton Saree is a traditional offering, unnatisilks Kerala Cotton Saree is traditional offering in modern format

The Kerala Cotton Sari has evolved from the Mundum Neriyathum, the traditional attire of women in the South Indian state of Kerala. In fact the Mundum Neriyathum can be said to have influenced the creation of the modern Saree.

Once woven by hand alone, the Kerala Cotton Handloom Saris have slowly given way to the manufacture of the Kerala Cotton Saree by power looms. Hand embroidered motifs have also been replaced by designer prints of the motif.    

 

The Kerala Cotton Saree with golden, copper-coloured or Zari borders for a white or cream fabric, also known as Kasavu Saree, is specially made to be worn during festivals and auspicious occasions.  As with Mundum Neriyathum, the blouse matches the Kerala Cotton Saree for festive occasions with colours based on the age and marital status of the woman. A green coloured blouse would be for young, unmarried girls, while the married and middle aged women wear red blouses.

Modern day prints on the cotton fabric with coloured borders and popular designs of peacock and temple adorning the pallu, have made the Kerala Cotton Handloom Saree popular as daily wear.       

Historically, the Mundum Neriyathum, or the two piece cotton fabric worn since ancient times, is still a traditional costume. The Neriyathu, draping the upper torso, from right hip to left shoulder over the blouse, with the portion beyond the shoulder left hanging, has come from Buddhist and Jain influences of ancient India, with the coloured borders of the garment supposedly being borrowed from Greco-Roman culture.

In simple form it is daily wear, in the Kasavu form it is grand and meant for festival wear

Modern day prints on the cotton fabric with coloured borders and popular designs of peacock and temple adorning the pallu, have also made the Kerala Cotton Handloom Saree popular as daily wear.       

The Kerala Cotton Saree is woven from unbleached cotton or Kora cloth. With a golden zari border and motifs of animals, birds, peacocks, flowers, fruits and leaves, it is highly popular. Adding style to the handloom saree are motifs of checks and stripe patterns on wooden block prints using vegetable dyes. 

A popular variety of the Kerala Cotton Saree has Zari Buttas and a Resham Zari Border, coupled with an elegant pallu, preferred as occasion wear in corporate offices, colleges and schools. It also appeals as novel wear during festivals.     

Equally enticing is the Kerala Cotton Sari with block printed motifs and multi-thread embroidered border in half-half pattern with contrasting colours. It makes it suitable for daily casual, office wear during summer and traditional functions.

Online websites such as Unnati Silks, with a large collection of traditional and trendy Kerala Cotton Handloom Sarees, with beautiful prints, broad borders, exquisite pallus, could be the answer to getting the Kerala Cotton Saris of choice and quality at reasonable prices.

Parineeti

Contact: UNNATI SILK PRINTS PVT. LTD,

#3-4-360, Vajra Complex, General Bazar (Tobacco Bazar), M.G.Road, Hyderabad-500003. AP,India.

040-64555251 or 97000 57744.Website : www.unnatisilks.com

Dharmavaram Silk Sarees, unnatisilks fine display of captivating colours, colour combinations, creative experiments, colour combinations applied on silk yarn

Dharmavaram is in Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its handloom industry, Dharmavaram is a hub for the manufacture and sale of the Dharmavaram Silk Sarees. A household name in South India, the Dharmavaram Silk Saree is famous for its excellent weaving quality, rich look and feel.

Dharmavaram Silk Saris also known as Rajwadi Sarees are known for their broad borders and gold brocade embroidered pallus, available in a combination of soft colours, exquisite designs and varying patterns.

Sometimes confused with the Kanchipuram Saree, the difference lies in the patent features of the Dharmavaram Saree – its muted colours and the double-colour effect of the Saree.

The making of the Dharmavaram Silk Saree involves a lot of painstaking care and precision.

Desired colour is mixed with water boiled to a high temperature. Heat causes colour to adhere making it fast or durable. The yarn is immersed and the water stirred to spread the colour evenly throughout. The choice of right colour and shade is crucial and the right combination increases the value of the fabric. The decision hinges on the designer himself.

The elegance and extra-look that the Dharmavaram Silk Saree lends, makes it a must-buy and prized possession to be displayed on special occasions.

The Dharmavaram Temple Pallu Saree has a rich colour combination, with elegant prints on the fabric additionally adorned by tikkis, stones and crystal work. It is most-preferred wear for big parties and social occasions. 

   

The Group Buttal Thandu Dharmavaram Saree is a unique for employing different fabrics, threads and decorative items. Handwork and embroidery are worthy additions to the Saree. It has an excellent finishing and is very comfortable to wear.

A trending version is the Dharmavaram Pattu Silk Sari with attractive designs as peacock feathers, Brahmakamalam, shine of the stars added to the multi-coloured threads giving the changing colours effect. It is appropriate to wear for college parties, corporate functions, or social get-togethers like weddings and special invites. 

Unnati Silks, devoted to ethnic sarees and salwar kameez materials, has a wide range of Dharmavaram Silk Sarees. Incorporating traditional and trendy designs in the most attractive colour combinations they cater to varying individual tastes and at the most reasonable prices.  

Mangalagiri Handlooms are exclusive, Traditional Sarees with universal appeal, unnatisilks Mangalagiri Handlooms are sarees with universal appeal

Mangalagiri is on the National Highway conecting Kolkata and Chennai, Mangalagiri is very close to Guntur and Vijayawada and is a part of the Vijayawada urban agglomeration.

Heavy gold thread or zari borders, traditional Nizam designs, and simple mono-striped or multi-colour striped pallus adorn the fabric. Various motifs like leaf, mango, parrot, gold coin, add to the appeal of the cotton saree. Current popular trends have printing work and embroidery designs on the mangalagiri cotton sari.

Count is an indication of the fineness of a saree, based on the threads per square inch in warp and weft. Counts range from 40(coarse) to 120 (super fine), with the normal count of 80 – 80 being used for soft woven fabric. Prices begin at Rs 60 to Rs 70 a metre, and could go beyond Rs.1000, based on the intricacies involved in its making

Derived from its original name Totadri, Mangalagiri is from Mangala (good fortune) and Giri (hill). There are three temples of Narayan Swamy in Mangalagiri and popular traditional belief has it that those climbing the hill to offer prayers would definitely buy a saree before leaving Mangalagiri.      

There are some features unique to a Mangalgiri Saree. The soft and comfortable all-season fabric generally does not have designs on the body. It also is known for not having gaps in its weave. There is a missing thread variety of saree not commonly found. 

A traditional occupation involving whole families in the making, it is knowledge gained from experience and experiment, shared and passed down from generation to generation.  Mangalagiri weavers are devoted to their craft.  They also have a clear idea about market trends. Organised into co-operatives, they follow the market to incorporate current demands in their weaves.

The Geographical Indication (GI) Status accorded to the Mangalagiri Handlooms this year has ushered in much sought relief from weaver woes.

High price of raw materials, coupled with spurious goods and nearby local industries affixing the  Mangalagiri Handlooms label to their goods without the traditional quality in their fabrics, was bad enough. Market response was also poor with the genuine fabrics seeming costlier. This led to poor production and exodus of skilled workers from the traditional handloom industry.    

The GI certification is granted if the product possesses distinctive qualities, only when the produce is found to be made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation due to its geographical origin. Mangalagiri handlooms and fabrics have a registered logo for the product. With the grant of GI, it would further help boost the market for these sarees.

Based on the current situation being maintained for the next three to four years at least, it is estimated that the current turnover could at least be doubled in the next couple of years.

Unnati Silks, devoted to ethnic sarees and salwar kameez materials, has trendy designs, attractive patterns, in pleasing colours and combinations in its wide collection of Mangalagiri Handloom Sarees at very reasonable prices. Dispatch within 24 hours of order, with free delivery & COD for retail, and world-wide express shipping.