Craft Library

A saree is more than a mere sartorial choice. It’s a living tradition, a part of History; draped in six yards of grace. Known by different names across India, imagined in countless forms and worn in ways as diverse as the individuals themselves, there is no single definition of a saree. It is as fluid as the fabric itself; ever-changing and ever-beautiful. 

The word “Saree” originates from the ancient Sanskrit word “Sattika” meaning  a strip of cloth. The word evolved into Prakrit languages into forms like “sadi” and was eventually adopted into English as “saree” or “sari”. 

However, a single strip of cloth carries a universe of craft, emotion and memory. From the hands that weave it, to the hearts that wear it, a saree carries a story. It might be your mom’s favourite now- tattered cotton saree or your grandmother’s precious silk worn only on special occasions. They are heirlooms passed on, love letters from one generation to another. 

A saree belongs everywhere from boardrooms, family events or under the shimmering glow of festivities. It is timeless, unrestricted from age, trend or time.

 Because truly, you can never go wrong with a saree. It’s not just something you adorn, it is also something you become.

Patteda Anchu

Woven since the 10th century in the villages of Gajendragarh, Belgaum, Raichur, Bidar, Bellary and beyond, the Patteda Anchu saree is a timeless reflection of Karnataka’s living traditions. Its name comes from its defining features, “Patteda” meaning border, and “Anchu” meaning the five stripes that grace its edges.

Traditionally woven in coarse cotton, this 6-yard saree was designed for women working in the fields sturdy, breathable and beautiful. The colour palette stays true to its roots, rich hues of mustard, maroon, pink, and green, while the colour black is never used, as these sarees are offered to Goddess Yellamma of Saundatti, the revered deity of Gajendragarh.

Once considered an auspicious bridal saree, especially in red checks with a broad mustard border, the Patteda Anchu also held deep cultural significance. When urban Lingayat women turned away from the tradition, these sarees were bestowed upon Devadasis, the daughters of Yellamma, bearing with them stories of faith, devotion and womanhood.

Ajrakh

Ajrakh is a mesmerizing wooden block-printed textile, steeped in tradition and crafted using natural dyes like indigo and madder. This intricate art employs resist-dyeing techniques applied in multiple stages and repeated twice to sharpen the patterns and colors, ensuring unmatched quality and precision.

The makers, one of the most prominent ones, from the Khatri community, originally lived along the Sindh River (now in Pakistan) and migrated to Kutch in the 16th century at the invitation of the King, who recognized their skill. Over generations, they adapted to the land, settling near rivers for fabric washing. Despite challenges like the drying of rivers in 1989 and the 2001 Kutch earthquake, the community persevered, relocating to Ajrakhpur with the support of relief initiatives, and continued preserving this living art.

Phulia Cotton

Fulia’s tryst with handloom weaving began not in ancient times but in the years after India gained its independence. Following the 1947 Partition of Bengal, talented weavers from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) crossed the border, transforming the town into a flourishing centre of craftsmanship. These craftspeople, who were primarily from Tangail, established a new life in Fulia, West Bengal, which is close to Shantipur. They brought with them the elaborate weaving customs of their native land.

Tradition and innovation came together here. New techniques were added to Fulia's looms over the years, such as the introduction of the Barrel Dobby in the 1920s, which changed weaving from the Throw Shuttle to the quicker Fly Shuttle. The introduction of the Jacquard machine in the 1930s revolutionised production by introducing sectional warping, longer warp yarns and sophisticated sizing.

Andhra Cotton

Step into the world of Andhra Pradesh, where lush green landscapes meet bustling street markets and every corner whispers stories of a rich cultural legacy. Here, tradition is alive in every craft, from the intricate strokes of Kalamkari paintings to the delicate carvings of Kondapalli toys and most captivating of all, the hand-woven sarees that have been perfected over generations.

Andhra handloom sarees are more than just textiles, they are vibrant tapestries of heritage. Each saree carries intricate weaves, bold yet harmonious colors and borders that shimmer with gold or silver threads, reflecting the skill and devotion of its maker. From Pochampalli to Venkatagiri, Narayanpet to Dharmavaram, every loom has a story, a signature style and a legacy of silk and cotton fabrics that are timeless.