Handwoven Banarasi Sari Varanasi DSC_1608
Picture here a man in Varanasi works an elaborately complex loom. The handwoven Banarasi sari, with its intricate designs, often with accents of gold or silver thread -- is widely sought after, especially by brides seeking to standout in India's lively wedding season. I am not sure how these producers stay afloat when they face competition from modern power looms that can produce silk saris cheaper and faster.
This shot is from a neighborhood in Varanasi's northeast, known as Pili Kothi and is one of a handful of weaving communities in the city. Most people know Varanasi for its many temples, Sadhus and bustling ghats along the Ganges River, but if you visit, also check out the neighborhoods that produce some of the world's finest silk saris. Note the paper pattern guide at the top right of the image, that is the trade secret for each individual shop.
Handwoven Banarasi Sari Varanasi DSC_1608
Picture here a man in Varanasi works an elaborately complex loom. The handwoven Banarasi sari, with its intricate designs, often with accents of gold or silver thread -- is widely sought after, especially by brides seeking to standout in India's lively wedding season. I am not sure how these producers stay afloat when they face competition from modern power looms that can produce silk saris cheaper and faster.
This shot is from a neighborhood in Varanasi's northeast, known as Pili Kothi and is one of a handful of weaving communities in the city. Most people know Varanasi for its many temples, Sadhus and bustling ghats along the Ganges River, but if you visit, also check out the neighborhoods that produce some of the world's finest silk saris. Note the paper pattern guide at the top right of the image, that is the trade secret for each individual shop.