Chanderi sarees are the world famous sarees produced in Chanderi, a small town in Madhya Pradesh. Chanderi is a reputed center for traditional weavers of sarees and is one of the best known clusters in India, particularly famous for its Chanderi sarees, made with mix of cotton and silk. They are very light and perfect for Indian summers. This sari has its beauty in its simplicity and airy feel, intricately designed anchals with buttis and narrow borders. The Chanderi sarees give a sophisticated look to whoever who wears it.
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| Chanderi Sarees |
Chanderi Sarees Fabric
The Chanderi sari is woven in cotton as well as silk. Chanderi silk is the outcome of traditional methods of hand-weaving that have been developed over the years, and passed down through generations. Chanderi silk is considered the fabric of choice for sarees produced for royalty. The weave - Pure silk – where the warp as well as the weft is woven in 20/22 denier silk. Chanderi cotton – where the warp and weft are 100s or 120s cotton. The Chanderi muslins have been considered to be better than Dacca muslins because of the softness and feel. There is also the Silk Cotton chanderi saree where the weaver deftly combines 20/22-denier warp with 100s/120s cotton in the weft.
Chanderi Saris Motifs
The usual motifs are flowers, sprays, round buties (asrafis) and net patterns (jaal). Sunrise and temple border are also a specialty. Ginni, or coin, is a traditional Chanderi motif. Motifs are drawn from the Earth and sky, hunting Scenes, the tree of life, birds, fruits, flowers, man-woman, heavenly bodies. Great care is given to the buti or motif in the body which enriches the design. A variety of motifs are used such as Ashrafi, Churi, Phul- Patti, Phul-Buta, Bundi, Keri, Baddi Ka Phul, Akhrot, Paan, Suraj Buti, Eeth, Kirkita, Rui Phul Kinar, Meena Buti, Kalgi, Ghoongra, Khajura, Dunaliya, Iknaliya Buti, Iknaliya Buti and Geometric designs are also used. These motifs are used in borders, pallav and main field of the sari. Plain saris are also woven, sometimes zari is also used.
Chanderi Saree Colors
These sarees have a rare fusion of soft and contrasting colors. Chanderi sari is known for soft colors and the perfect balance between the border and the body of the saree. However, there are some typical contrasting combinations like black against red and Ganga-Jamuna saris, with green on one border and red or Kumkum on the other with a natural off white body. The traditional colors are pastel shades of green, peach, pink, and blue. Cream and off white is also used now. Saris in all dark and light shades are being produced. For example, maroon, dark blue, green, etc. The hues and shades of the fabric are referred to in the vernacular as follow
- Dalimbi (deep pink)
- Angoori (grapevine)
- Rani (deep mauve pink)
- Gul Bakshi (magenta)
- Jaamla (purple)
- Kassni (light violet)
- Aamrak (golden)
- Chintamani (peacock blue)
- Kesari (red)
- Tapkeeree (deep brown)
- Mehndi (olive green)
- Phalsa (maroon)
- Katthai, Pyaazi (mauve)
- Badami
- Morgardini
Chanderi Saree Design Gallery
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| Kareena Kapoor in Black Gold Chanderi Sari |
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| White-Gold Chanderi Saree |
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| Silk Cotton Chanderi Saree |
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| Bright Green Chanderi Silk Saree |
