Kanjivaram sari
Also called: Kanchipuram silk · Topic: India, That Is Bharat: Names of India and Unity in Diversity · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 8 "Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One'"
Meaning
The Kanjivaram sari is a heavy silk sari woven in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its rich colours, its wide borders that contrast with the main body, and its gold thread work (zari). The designs often show temple towers, peacocks and other traditional patterns. It is one of India's famous silk varieties, like the Banarasi, Paithani, Patan Patola, Muga and Mysore silks. It is a strong example of how one garment, the sari, takes many regional forms.
Example
Weaving families in Kanchipuram weave saris from thick mulberry silk. Often the border and the body are woven in different colours and then interlocked. Brides in Tamil Nadu commonly wear a Kanjivaram sari at their weddings.
Don't confuse with
- Banarasi sari: a silk sari from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), known for its fine gold brocade with Mughal-style floral designs. The Kanjivaram comes from Tamil Nadu and has bold borders and temple motifs.