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.
