History of Kerala's Ivory and Gold Kasavu Sarees!!!

S Venkateshwari
History of Kerala's Ivory and gold Kasavu Sarees!!!

In the South Asian subcontinent, ladies have worn sarees for millennia. Because of its adaptability, patterns and styles have changed over time, yet classic sarees are still popular and are best worn on special occasions. In addition to being exquisite, the classic Keralan Kasavu saree, available in ivory or cream with a golden data-border, is a wearable piece of history. Additionally, women choose to wear Kasavu sarees for celebrations since onam is being celebrated.

The Method of Kasavu

The Kasavu method, utilized in Keralan handlooms, is whence the saree derives its name. The data-border is woven with fine gold and silver threads in this technique. This method is also used to create data-borders for the Mundu, a men's garment similar to a dhoti, thus the name Kasavu saree. people call it the Kasavu Mundu.

Additionally, the Kasavu weave is the first handloom product from kerala to get the GI (Geographical Indication) protected designation. Chinadamangalam, Balaramapuram, and Kuthampully are India's three main saree-weaving centers.

The Kasavu Saree's History

The Travancore dynasty's rule saw the rise in popularity of Kasavu fabrics, which are the source of this saree's history spanning over two centuries. The saree was traditionally fashioned by hand from beautiful gold or silver threads. It is stated that saliya weaving families from Valliyur, tamil Nadu, were transported to Balaramapuram by Maharaja Balarama Varma in order to weave the exquisite cloth for the royal family.

Balaramapuram sarees are fashioned from natural cotton, also referred to as "kora" material, and are unbleached and undyed. For the hot summertime temperature in kerala, this material is ideal.

The thread count on the pit loom, the most popular handloom in Balaramapuram, varies from 80 to 120 stitches. With 80s–100s thread counts and half-fine zari, Chendamangalam Kasavu cloth is woven for sarees and mundus with little to no pattern utilization. The ivory and cream sarees with zari data-borders from the Kuthampully cluster have patterned and jacquard data-borders, and they contain human figures as motifs. In other instances, geometric and animal designs are combined with the temple data-border, or "puliyila kara." The king of kochi brought the craftsmen to Kuthampully.


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