Paithani Saree, the sarees preserve the time from the Mughals to the Peshwas

Imagine you are in a time machine and flying back to the time of the Satavahanas, around 200 BC.

You must see some exotic Indian beauties around you, doing their household work with grace in a Paithani saree.

This domestic scenic beauty surely evokes plenty of emotions within you.  

You will feel proud and awesome - all at the same time. 

You remember the famous quote, once said by a philosopher, ‘History isn’t found in the dry pages of textbooks. It should be re-lived.’ 

If we talk about our glorious clothing history,  nothing is more excative than a Paithani saree. Because it not only preserves the centuries-old stories but also the ancient Indian arts with delicacy.

History and Evaluation of Paithani Saree

Paithani saree’s legacy can be described as ‘a memory dipped in gold with care’. 

On the banks of the Godavari River, throughout the Deccan region, these sarees were specially woven for mainly the Indian beauties.

But later on, these glossy fabrics made their own identity in the world. They were imported to Egypt and the other fashion hubs of gulf and Europe for royal demands.

History depicts that the Roman Empire used to trade gold in exchange for these fabrics. Which clearly depicts that during that era, Paithani sarees were worth‘Gold’.

Roman empresses loved to drape themselves with such glossy fabric. They believed this piece of cloth enhanced their beauty a thousand times more.

The craze was not only constrained outside India, but also within the country.

Aurangazeb, the man known for his love of poetry and art, couldn’t help but patronise Paithani artists.

He prohibited the weavers not to make such garments for the general public. He wanted to maintain the exclusivity of these clothes for the Royals. That's why he introduced a special type of motifs on the saree, naming them ‘Aurangazebi Buta’.

How are Paithani Sarees made?

Later on, this fahsinable fabrics were coddled by Marathi Peshwas. Peshwa Madhav Rao is considered one of the significant Hindu patrons of  Paithani.

He used to design his dresses by himself. The specific colour combination and motif demanded by him were so unique that today’s Sabyasachi store also fades in comparison to his wardrobe.

Do you know what is so special about paithani saree?

These Sarees are woven using the tapestry technique. A method where multiple threads of different colours are used to create a kaleidoscopic effect on the saree.

A single saree can take almost a month to two years to weave.

But the soul of the saree is preserved in the pallu. The ‘Bangadi Mor’, peacock from Bengal, the Amar Vel, the flowering creeper and ‘Tota-Maina’, the parrot, known for audio broadcasting the scandals of the village, are still very demanding designs of Paithani.

FAQs

1. Where exactly can you get a Paithani saree original?

Many luxury fashion houses of Kolkata and India now have their own weavers who make the exclusive pieces for them. 

2.  Discuss Pathani Saree’s origin.

Yeola, a small town of Maharastra is considered the origin of the Paithani Saree.

3. Paithani Saree Price is how much?

The price of Paithani silk starts from 8k and goes up to 30K.

4. How many types of Paithani Silk Sarees are there?

The differentiation is done based on Paithani saree motifs. But the Paithani Saree designs are very, very attractive to look at. The Golden shimmery zari work on the border looks very pretty.

5. Why are Paithani sarees so expensive?

These Sarees are made of Mulberry silk and Zari, both of which are very laborious to produce.

6. How to recognise a fake Paithani saree?

Both sides of the Paithani Sarees looks same. If it is not, then you can confidently say that the Paithani saree is fake.