Kanjeevaram Silk Sari: Tamil Nadu

Kanjeevaram Silk Sari: Tamil Nadu

Part of: GS Prelims and GS III – Indian Art forms

In news National award winning artisan weaver, B Krishnamoorthy, has created a repository with samples of all the designs, patterns and motifs traditional to Kanjeevaram silk sari weaving, preserving fine pieces for next generation.

About Kanjeevaram Sarees:

• Traditionally, the Kanjeevaram is a sari that is usually handwoven in mulberry silk and has pure gold or silver zari that renders it a festive quality.
• Originating from the village ‘Kanchipuram’ in Tamil Nadu, Kanjeevaram is considered the queen of silk sarees.
• The temple architecture of south India and especially around Kanchipuram has historically served as a mood board for design inspiration for the traditional Kanjeevaram motifs.
• One can spot motifs such as the mythical creature called the Yali (an elephant-lion fusion), the Ganda Berunda (a two-headed majestic mythical bird) and the ubiquitous temple border called reku.
• It traces its long and rich history from the Chola Dynasty
• Kanchipuram silk has also received GI Tag in 2005-06.

About Silk Production in India

• India is the second largest producer of silk in the world, producing around 18% of the world’s total silk.
• There are five major types of silk of commercial importance, obtained from different species of silkworms. These are Mulberry, Oak Tasar & Tropical Tasar, Muga and Eri.

• Except mulberry, other non-mulberry varieties of silks are wild silks, known as vanya silks.

• India has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk.
• South India is the leading silk producing area of the country and is also known for its famous silk weaving enclaves like Mysore, Kancheepuram, Dharmavaram, Arni, etc.
• The Government of India in 2017 launched a scheme called “Silk Samagra” for the development of sericulture in the country.

News Source: TH