The revival of the traditional handloom sari

Rich texture, elegant design and an innate lustre are the perfect phrases to define handloom clothes. Extremely comfortable to wear, handloom textiles include saris, sarongs, dhotis, kurtas, shirts, etc., for both the genders. Thanks to market support, advancement of online retailers and government help, the handloom industry has grown by leaps and bounds. With orders and demands for handloom textiles coming in from all quarters of the globe, the industry is slated to develop to epic proportions.

South East Asia has a craze for handloom materials. Home grown silk and cotton textures are said to be of the best quality in the world. Loom machinery is bought; labour force is trained to be skilled to operate it, and unique fabrics are woven out of it. Most handloom saris and sarongs are woven by family owned looms in rural areas. They are seasoned veterans when it comes to weaving, as each family or community has been in the business for generations.

The best saris, whether in cotton or silk, are woven in intricate loom machines. Depending on the texture and the particular design to be replicated on the sari, it can take about 3 days to a couple to weeks to make a sari. A lot of effort, precise planning and concentration goes into weaving a single sari. The output of the hard work is spectacular. The resultant sari or sarong comes out exquisitely, full of life and beauty.

There is a great demand for exotic indian sari across continents.  In fact, the revival of the plummeting handloom textile industry can be attributed to the emergence of the online market place. Through articles, magazines, cover stories and works of fashion designers, people from the world over have come to appreciate the magic of a handloom sari. The once dying industry is now seeing a rise, and how!

Out of all the handloom textiles, the most intricate work goes into making saris and sarongs. There are saris that are made for specific occasions, such as a wedding or festivity, and saris that are made for everyday wear or office wear. Every sari enthusiast must have a few handloom creations in her wardrobe. They are long lasting. Once will be surprised that even after years of regular wear, the sari is lustrous and still retains its colour. Such is the charisma of a handloom sari.

Some of the most prominent handloom saris manufactured by expert weavers in South East Asia are Chanderi Silk, Sri Lankan handloom, Batik cotton, Kantha stitch, Tussar silk, Salbalpuri Ikat cotton & silk, Bengal cotton, Kancheepuram sari, Baluchuri saris, Bagh print saris and Bangladeshi handloom. Proper publicity and ease of wearing have made these saris world famous. Blouses – whether stylish or formal, as well as skirts can be woven using the loom machine.

Handloom industry in South East Asia has diversified even further. It includes not only clothing, but also home utilities such as cushion and pillow cases, bed sheets, curtains, rugs, bags, etc. Quality of the fabric and the texture are the two things are never compromised upon. Browsing for handloom saris online, you can find the desired price range for different types of handloom saris.