Katan silk sarees are the symbol of India’s rich textile heritage. Known for their craftsmanship, which features exquisite designs, rich textures, and a distinctive weaving technique.
An authentic Pure Katan Silk Saree is an investment in not only clothing but also as a piece of art.
With several imitations available in the market, identifying one can be challenging. So, without much ado, follow our guide, and you’ll be an expert in spotting a Pure Katan Silk Saree based on fabric and design, in no time!
Features of pure katan silk fabric
- Soft touch and smooth texture: A pure katan silk saree has an extremely soft and smooth texture
- Natural sheen: The shine is natural and is not flashy
- Lightweight and breathable: Extremely lightweight and easy on the wearer
- Durability and strength: Twisted threads of pure mulberry silk give the Katan silk fabric its strength
- Even yet irregular texture of weave: A katan silk saree is made using a unique
weaving technique which gives it an even texture, and slight irregularities that indicate an authentic saree. Click to know more: How Katan Silk Saree is made ?
How to identify pure katan silk by design?
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Intricate traditional motifs: A Pure Katan Silk Saree has Mughal-inspired patterns which feature elaborate motifs like peacock and paisley
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Handloom weaving leftovers: A genuine katan silk saree will have floating threads as leftovers behind the motifs and zari work, which indicates handwoven craftsmanship
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Slight irregularities: Slight irregularities like minor variations in design add a unique touch to each saree; this cannot be recreated by a powerloom saree, which is uniform and lacks this artisanal touch.
- Quality of zari: Pure Katan Silk Sarees use original gold and silver threads, whereas inauthentic ones have metallic or plastic threads that fade away
Buy based on pure banarasi katan silk sarees designs
Bonus feature
Weight: A pure katan silk saree weighs anywhere around 500 g (0.5kg) to 1100g (1.1kg)
Different regional katan silk sarees
There are different variations of katan silk sarees throughout India.
Banarasi katan silk sarees: Originating in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. They have the softest weaves. So what makes this katan silk saree unique? A banarasi katan silk saree has unique Mughal-style zari work that features intricate floral designs using classic Banarasi motifs like kalga (paisley), bel (creeper), and jhallar (fringe-like border designs), and more often than not it weighs around 500-1000 gms, indicating its dense weave and rich zari work.
Bishnupuri katan silk sarees: Bishnupuri katan silk sarees: As the name suggests, Bishnupuri katan silk sarees originate from Bishnupur, a place in West Bengal. Known for its handloom weave, what makes it distinctive is the use of buti work, which are small and delicate motifs. The patterns and motifs are inspired by the rich cultural heritage of West Bengal. Relatively lightweight (about 300-400 g), they come with a GI tag that indicates their regional authenticity.
Chanderi katan silk sarees: Originating in Madhya Pradesh, from the town of Chanderi. A chanderi katan silk saree, what makes it distinctive is the ‘chanderi fabric’, which is lightweight and transparent. Created by weaving silk and gold zari, which has motifs that are inspired by nature, like peacocks, lotus, along with gold coins and geometric patterns. Generally weighs around 350-600g
Swarna katan saree: A Swarna katan saree or Swarnachari katan saree originates from Baluchar, a small village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. They are known for their unique designs and patterns, and handwork. What makes it unique is its long pallu/ anchal, where the design or motifs are placed in a rectangular corner, which continues its pattern. Swarnachari sarees are generally long, ranging up to 6.3 metres.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! You can now be assured of how to identify a pure katan silk saree based on fabric and design. If you want to include it in your wardrobe, think of its texture, durability, and rich Indian heritage.
And if you want to buy or know more, definitely check our Pure Katan Silk Sarees collection.
FAQs
Q. What is the single most easiest way to identify a pure katan silk saree based on fabric alone?
A: The easiest way to identify if the saree has a smooth flowing texture instead of a coarse texture, which is prevalent in duplicate ones.
Q. Is the zari work enough to identify a pure katan silk saree based on design?
A: Yes, a gold or silver zari indicates an authentic katan silk saree. Whereas metallic threads are fake and fade away quickly.
Q. How do I know if the katan silk saree is pure based on weave quality?
A: Slightly irregular weaves show that the katan silk saree is handloom woven and handcrafted by artisans, which is unique. This is a general sign of authenticity.