The Kanchipuram Silk Industry

The occasion of marriage of a South Indian wedding is incomplete without a Kanchipuram saree in her trosseau. Among the wide range of silk sarees available in India, the sari silk from Benares to the Patola from Patan, the Kanchipuram saree holds a special position. The strength and magnificence of the Kanchipuram saris, is a favorite among the women of the world.

Now that the world has become a global village, Kanchipuram saris are available worldwide. However, the production of these beautiful sarees is always centered in Kanchipuram, a small town situated on the river Palari in southern India. Also known as Kanchi, the city is famous for its silk industry and its temples.

The origin of Kanchipuram sari dates back to centuries ago when these sarees used to be woven into the temples. Kanchipuram saris, pure mulberry silk fabrics, are in different colors. These sarees have borders and "Pallu" in a contrasting color gold heavy texture. Kanchipuram sarees traditionally simple line drawings of gold or gold points. The design of these sarees were inspired by drawings in the temples of South India or natural elements such as birds, leaves, etc. Some of the best-known models of Kanchipuram sari borders are "Rudraksham (representing Rudraksha beads)," Gopuram (temple representation '), Mayilkan (Peacock eye) and "Kuyilkan" (eye Nightingale). Given the trend, Kanchipuram silk saris have undergone a transformation. Now even the silk sari from designer Kanchipuram are available with crystal embroidery or work on traditional silk sari. One of the latest trends in these sarees uses old paintings and images of gods and goddesses in the 'Pallu.

In a Kanchipuram silk sari faith, the body of the sari and "Pallu are woven separately and then assembled. The particular technique of silk weaving a Kanchipuram saree with three one-child son of silk" Zari, who is the son of silk dipped gold and cash. The mulberry silk comes from the state of Karnataka and Zari gold "comes from Surat. Despite becoming a center of silk industry world-famous Kanchipuram, the city does not produce silk or other material used in the production of a silk sari.

The city of Kanchipuram is known as "Silk City" because nearly three-quarters of its population depends on the silk industry. Weavers skilled and semi-skilled workers in nearby towns like Salem, Arani, Kumbakonam and Coimbatore are also involved in the production of silk saris.