Saris are the traditional attire worn by women in India. These long yards of clothing are decorated with exquisite designs and patterns which make a woman look beautiful and elegant at the same time. Since India is a country of diverse cultures, it also reflects in its clothing styles. Indian sarees are inspired by the region they are specific to which gives a lot of varieties for women to choose from!
Let’s have a look at different sari trends across North India, South India and East India
Sari trends in North India
Banarasi Brocade saris
Perhaps the most coveted saris by the Indian brides, Banarasi brocade adds luster to a women’s sari collection. One can choose from plethora of varieties in Banarasi saris like amru, tarbana, kincab, zari, georgette, shattir, amni, tanchoi etc. in existence since Mughal era, these sarees can be recognized easily for their narrow fringe like pattern also known as Jhaler. The inner and outer border of the saris boasts of a fringe of leaves which is a trademark of Banarasi saris.
These saris are decorated with intricate floral and foliate motifs, kalge, bel etc. which makes them stand apart from other saris. An Indian bride always prefers to have a Banarasi sari in her wedding collection!
Kota Doria/Kota Jali
Kota is a name of a place in Rajasthan which is famous for its Kota Doria saris. These types of saris which are quite light and airy drape round a woman quite gracefully. Kota Doria saris are manufactured in small villages round Kota city. Their lightweight and transparent checkered pattern can be owed to the material being used i.e. cotton. Its weaves consist of various yarn gauges giving the checkered pattern also known as Khats. Suitable for summer, these saris are the lightest in India.
However, Kota Doria sarees are also available in silk now.
Other North Indian saris
Some other saris from Northern India like Tanchois, Amru brocades, Shikargarh brocades, tissues saris like Abarwan [meaning –flowing water]. In fact Tarbana saris which are a type of abarwan saris are made of tissue woven in finest of silk threads. Tarbana literally means woven water and the sari is indeed done up in silk warp with zari weft.
Kincab/Kinkhwab saris are the most popular saris in northern India which boast of more amount of zari pattern visible than the underlying silk.
Jamavar saris- jacquered weaves in bright colors like red, green, orange, meena colors etc. Another variety of these saris which found its origins in Uttar Pradesh is organza or organdy saris.
These light weight saris can also be find in chicken and lukhnavi embroidery in Kanpur and Lucknow.
Sari Trends in East India
Baluchari Saris
These typical saris are from Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Baluchari saris are 5 yards in length and 42’’ wide. The material used in making these is silk available in bright colors like red, purple, deep blue etc. These saris which are 200 years old are made in silk. The border of the sari reflects the scenes from epics like Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Field of sari is covered entirely in small butis and charming floral designs.
Baluchari sarees are very much similar to the Banarasi sari except for one main difference. Baluchari saris are only made in silk thread while Banarasi sari also makes use of zari threads.
Tanta/Taant Cotton Saris
These saris are the traditional wear of Bengali women. As a matter of fact, Taant saris are famous worldwide for their unique appearance and colors. The literal meaning of Taant is ‘made on loom’. It is popularly known by the name of Bengal cotton. There are several varieties of Taant saris available in the market. Hand woven in various districts of west Bengal, Taant cotton saris offer a simple yet unique clothing wear.
Kantha Saris
Kantha is a name of embroidery. A typical Kantha sari features decorative motifs with running stitch. This art is found amongst the rural women of West Bengal. It takes time to prepare these saris as it requires laborious work. Designs found on Kantha saris-folk, floral, bird motifs etc.
Sari Trends in South India
Kanjeevaram saris
These south Indian saris are famous throughout India and world! These saris originated from Kanchipuram town in Tamil Nadu which sings 150 year old story of sari weaving! The town is still untouched by the modern methods of sari weaving and continues to make beautiful Kanjeevaram saris in gold dipped silk threads in their traditional methods. These saris have a silk base thicker than other saris. It is believed that the heavier the silk, the better the Kanjeevaram sari. Most common motifs to be found on these types of saris are peacock and parrot.
Konrad Saris
Konrad saris were originally known as temple saris as they were woven for god idols in temple. These sari feature wide borders wherein one can see designs inspired by wedding scenes. One can find motifs like-elephants, peacocks etc. popular colors to be found in Konrad saris are traditional earth shades of brown, grays, off whites.
Lively colors are also available keeping in mind the northern Indian buyers.
Other South Indian Saris
The most typical of South Indian wedding saris are nayaynpets and bavanjipets. These sarees have a golden border on a cream color base and available in traditional colors like earth shades of brown, grays, off whites. (Bright colors available for North Indian buyers).
Other famous saris from South India are Pashmina silk, Mysore crepes, pochampallis, puttapakshi saris etc.