Paithani Sarees

The Paithani sarees, named after the town responsible for its inception, are said to be 'hand woven poems in gold and silk' in Maharashtrian culture. The craft of weaving the saree was invented in 200 B.C. and flourished during the Satvahana era.

The Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah II, attempted to introduce the Paithani sarees to the royal court in 1712, which marked the beginning of the Paithani saree's history. The Paithani sarees, on the other hand, were made in a Maharashtrian village called Paithan close to Aurangabad. Paithan has been a significant hub for silks since the early 17th century. Paithan continued to be a key location for the manufacture of silk fabrics until recently. The history of the Paithani silk saree is extensive. The earliest mention of this silk saree's weaving dates to the 16th century, when it first appeared in the area around the city of Paithan, which is situated south of Aurangabad. For ages, Paithan has been a significant hub for the manufacture of silk.

This silk and gold saree is called a pattan. Initially, sarees were only created for affluent customers; the rebirth of Paithani weaving focused production on export needs. From a cotton base to a silk base, Paithani flourished. Cotton was utilised for the fabric's body, and silk was used for the borders and weft patterns. There is no sign of cotton in modern-day Paithani Silk Saree. The silk used to be imported from China at one point. Currently, Yeola and Paithan purchase silk in Bangalore.

The saree is characterised by an oblique and square design on the borders and a pallu with peacock motifs, wedding scenes, and designs inspired by the frescos in the Ajanta caves. The sarees look exactly the same on both sides. No two paithani sarees can be the same due to the manual nature of the weaving process, and there will always be a slight difference. They are available in kaleidoscope colours, and this effect is achieved by varying the weave. Protected with a G.I. tag in 2010, the traditional Paithani evolved from a cotton base to a silk base.

Go to home