Dharmavaram sarees are a confluence of History and Heritage: Know How

Andhra Pradesh is the hub of cloth manufacturing units. Either Chanderi or Mangalgiri, in the sun-drenched plains of the Anantapur district, the art of the Dharmavaram saree weaving is still preserved like a precious manuscript in a vault. 

You may not be familiar with this saree, as it has been overshadowed by the fame of the southern silks. 

But let me tell you, it existed during the time of Alexander in the 20th century BC.

The Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, to be precise, 80 kilometres inwards from the main town, has still been doing its work in disguise, which is to keep the art alive for centuries behind the public eye.

No Doubt, Its damn difficult, but it's proven that this extremely dedicated weaving community did this for us and our next generations. 

History And Evaluation of Dharmavaram Saree

Documentation of that region stated that this place was previously inhabited only by skilled cotton weavers. But later on in 1920, the cotton shortagearises in India. Resulting the weavers 

Wringing hand in silk weaving.

By 1950 The transition was completed.

The Thogatha’s, Padmasali’s, or the Devanga’s pitted their loom to create the perfect rival of Benarasi and Kanjivaram with silks. 

The Dharmavaram Saree perfectly resembles the word ‘balance’. A delightful shimmery outlook created using two different - coloured thread in the wrap and weft. The whole process results in the most subtle, double -shaded, sophisticated, garnished look. 

Wearing which femininity automatically radiates. 

Generally, the whole saree is adorned with the Buta’s, along with 12 to 25 centimetres of gattipet or solid Zari border. 

But the pallu should always have the 75 centimetre temple- architecture-inspired motifs. 

The Process of Weaving a Dharmavaram Saree

The making process of Dharmavaram is also quite an art. The woman prepares the wrap, and the man sets the loom. Then, both of them started to weave together to create the contrasting multicoloured border of the saree.

Weaving border is the main hack to create a real Dharmavaram saree. The skilled weavers use a three-shuttle weaving method called Kuthanchu, along with immense patience, to produce a single Dharmavaram. 

The Jala loom is used for weaving. The complex bunch of threads hanging from the ceiling is like the puppet of the master’s strings. 

An Extra pair of hands is needed just to manipulate the threads according to the design. 

Minimum a week is required to weave a simple Dharmavaram Saree. But the grand one? That can keep a weaver couple occupied atleast for a fortnight.

FAQs

1. What kind of Dharmavaram saree is famous now?

Previously This saree used to be a cotton saree, but during the cotton shortage in 1920, the weavers started to make this kind of saree on a silk base. That's why now the Dharmavaram silk saree is famous.

2. What is the price of a Dharmavaram saree?

The price of a Dharmavaram saree generally starts from 5K and goes up to lakhs. Dharmavaram sarees for wedding costs very high.

3. Where can we get the Dharmavaram saree manufacturers?

If we search with the Phrase ‘Dharmavaram saree online’, then you will get the contacts of many Dharmavaram saree manufacturers in Andhra Pradesh. You can also get Dharmavaram Saree wholesale from them.

4. What is the Dharmavaram saree Speciality?

The saree will always be in a dual tone. Two consecutive threads are intertwined to weave a saree, resulting in the duplex colour.