COTTON SAREES
Human beings started to wear cloth from the primeval period onwards, and the first of its kind was cotton cloths. Cotton dresses are the generally accepted dress material in our time also. For weaving cotton cloths, cotton cords (produced from ‘cotton plants’) are made use of. Cotton is intrinsically smooth and cotton dresses will allow air to percolate; this is the key reason why it is said that cotton fabrics are highly suitable for the hot/humid climatic conditions of India.
The useful nature of cotton is utilized for manufacturing quite a number of textiles during the present time. The list includes ‘denims’, ‘sarees’, ‘shirts’, ‘banians’, ‘towels’, ‘furnishing materials’, ‘bedsheets’, various cords for needlework and weaving, etc.
It is again a point to note that Indian ladies always give preference to cotton sarees, because of the overall comfortableness and gracefulness.
A Few of the All the Rage Cotton Sarees in India
Khadi Sarees
This is one of the well accepted cotton sari products as far as India is concerned. ‘Khadi’ is connected to the freedom movement of India and initially it was a homemade item. However it is a trendy fabric in our time.
Kota Sarees
Kota sarees are manufactured in Kota (Rajasthan, India). This brand has become popular, because of the lightweight and uncluttered nature; the material will allow the entry of air and naturally the wearer will feel comfy. Moreover, ‘Kota’ sarees will give a refined appearance to the wearer. The authentic checkered surface and the translucent nature are the key traits of this brand. This is a perfect match for the hot/humid climate of India.
Tant sarees
Tant sarees can be grouped under the tag of the conventional sarees of West Bengal (India). Hand-weaving method is employed for creating this cotton sari. This brand is lightweight and usually will carry designs such as ‘sun’, ‘lotus’, ‘paisley’, ‘geometrical shapes’, ‘lamps’, etc. ‘Tant sari’ can be worn during festivals and various ceremonies including marriage.
Chanderi Saree
Chanderi is a customary sari item in Madhya Pradesh (central part of India). The designs for this sari are mainly taken from the Chanderi Temples. This brand comes under the banner of lightweight sarees. The translucent quality, the glossy nature, the elaborate designs and the patterns created using gold color that resemble coins adds up the popularity of this brand.
Sambalpuri / Bomkai Cotton Sarees
Odisha people (the eastern part of India) term this brand sarees as ‘Bandha’, and the stuff is specially noted for the typical dyeing technique of ‘Ikat’. The borders will be uneven and will contain designs such as ‘temples’, ‘phool (flowers)’, ‘shankhas (shells)’, ‘beads’, ‘chakra (wheel), etc. As the cords are subjected to the ‘tie and dye’ method initially (before weaving), the production speed will be slow and will take several weeks to complete one sari.
Bandhani / Leheria Cotton Sarees
‘Bandhani’ and ‘Leheria’ sarees are very much popular in Rajasthan, which is situated in the western segment of India. In this designing method, small parts of the base cloth are selected and tied, and then the process of dyeing is performed. The generally created saree designs include ‘small bands’, ‘dots’, ‘waves’, and ‘squares’. Varied colors are used for dyeing to make the material highly attractive.
Gadwal Cotton Saree
This comes from Andhra Pradesh (southern part of India) and is rated as a highly popular sari item. ‘Brocade’ interlacing method is employed for creating this brand. The main distinguishing elements of ‘Gadwal Cotton Saree’ are the freely fixed silk border and the cotton base.
Coimbatore Cotton Sarees
This brand is low-priced and hence suitable for every day use. The ‘pallu’ will have fine band designs and the body will be usually plain. The borders will be extensively brocaded.
‘Mundum Neriyathum’ from Kerala
‘Mundum Neriyathum’, which can be termed as a ‘two-piece’ sari item is the conventional dressing pattern of Kerala women. There will be one piece for the lower part of the body and another for the upper part. The material is created using superior quality cotton and the borders will have ‘zari (golden)’ border. Different colored threads are used at times in the border, to make the item more alluring. These days Kerala ladies wear this dress format during festival seasons and on special occasions.
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Mangalagiri Cotton Sarees
‘Mangalagiri sarees’ are part of the conventional saree items of Andhra Pradesh (India) women. The item will be solidly bordered using ‘zari’ and there will have tiny check patterns in the middle portion of the saree. Yet another significant feature of this brand is that the ‘pallu’ will be decorated with solid ‘zari’ rows. As this stuff is created using genuine cotton, it will be perfectly fitting for the hot climatic condition of southern India.
Traditional Block Printed Sarees
‘Block printing’ is done on superior quality smooth cotton. These days many women prefer to have ‘block printed sarees’ for every day use. The list of such sarees includes ‘Bagru’, ‘Ajrakh’, and ‘Dabu’ (Gujarat/Rajasthan, India), the ‘Bagh’ print (Madhya Pradesh, India) and ‘Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh)’.
Ajrakh print
Bagru print
Kalamkari print
Dabu print
Bagh Print
TAKING CARE OF COTTON SAREES
The useful nature of cotton is utilized for manufacturing quite a number of textiles during the present time. The list includes ‘denims’, ‘sarees’, ‘shirts’, ‘banians’, ‘towels’, ‘furnishing materials’, ‘bedsheets’, various cords for needlework and weaving, etc.
It is again a point to note that Indian ladies always give preference to cotton sarees, because of the overall comfortableness and gracefulness.
A Few of the All the Rage Cotton Sarees in India
Khadi Sarees
This is one of the well accepted cotton sari products as far as India is concerned. ‘Khadi’ is connected to the freedom movement of India and initially it was a homemade item. However it is a trendy fabric in our time.
Kota Sarees
Kota sarees are manufactured in Kota (Rajasthan, India). This brand has become popular, because of the lightweight and uncluttered nature; the material will allow the entry of air and naturally the wearer will feel comfy. Moreover, ‘Kota’ sarees will give a refined appearance to the wearer. The authentic checkered surface and the translucent nature are the key traits of this brand. This is a perfect match for the hot/humid climate of India.
Tant sarees
Tant sarees can be grouped under the tag of the conventional sarees of West Bengal (India). Hand-weaving method is employed for creating this cotton sari. This brand is lightweight and usually will carry designs such as ‘sun’, ‘lotus’, ‘paisley’, ‘geometrical shapes’, ‘lamps’, etc. ‘Tant sari’ can be worn during festivals and various ceremonies including marriage.
Chanderi Saree
Chanderi is a customary sari item in Madhya Pradesh (central part of India). The designs for this sari are mainly taken from the Chanderi Temples. This brand comes under the banner of lightweight sarees. The translucent quality, the glossy nature, the elaborate designs and the patterns created using gold color that resemble coins adds up the popularity of this brand.
Sambalpuri / Bomkai Cotton Sarees
Odisha people (the eastern part of India) term this brand sarees as ‘Bandha’, and the stuff is specially noted for the typical dyeing technique of ‘Ikat’. The borders will be uneven and will contain designs such as ‘temples’, ‘phool (flowers)’, ‘shankhas (shells)’, ‘beads’, ‘chakra (wheel), etc. As the cords are subjected to the ‘tie and dye’ method initially (before weaving), the production speed will be slow and will take several weeks to complete one sari.
Bandhani / Leheria Cotton Sarees
‘Bandhani’ and ‘Leheria’ sarees are very much popular in Rajasthan, which is situated in the western segment of India. In this designing method, small parts of the base cloth are selected and tied, and then the process of dyeing is performed. The generally created saree designs include ‘small bands’, ‘dots’, ‘waves’, and ‘squares’. Varied colors are used for dyeing to make the material highly attractive.
Gadwal Cotton Saree
This comes from Andhra Pradesh (southern part of India) and is rated as a highly popular sari item. ‘Brocade’ interlacing method is employed for creating this brand. The main distinguishing elements of ‘Gadwal Cotton Saree’ are the freely fixed silk border and the cotton base.
Coimbatore Cotton Sarees
This brand is low-priced and hence suitable for every day use. The ‘pallu’ will have fine band designs and the body will be usually plain. The borders will be extensively brocaded.
‘Mundum Neriyathum’ from Kerala
‘Mundum Neriyathum’, which can be termed as a ‘two-piece’ sari item is the conventional dressing pattern of Kerala women. There will be one piece for the lower part of the body and another for the upper part. The material is created using superior quality cotton and the borders will have ‘zari (golden)’ border. Different colored threads are used at times in the border, to make the item more alluring. These days Kerala ladies wear this dress format during festival seasons and on special occasions.
.
Mangalagiri Cotton Sarees
‘Mangalagiri sarees’ are part of the conventional saree items of Andhra Pradesh (India) women. The item will be solidly bordered using ‘zari’ and there will have tiny check patterns in the middle portion of the saree. Yet another significant feature of this brand is that the ‘pallu’ will be decorated with solid ‘zari’ rows. As this stuff is created using genuine cotton, it will be perfectly fitting for the hot climatic condition of southern India.
Traditional Block Printed Sarees
‘Block printing’ is done on superior quality smooth cotton. These days many women prefer to have ‘block printed sarees’ for every day use. The list of such sarees includes ‘Bagru’, ‘Ajrakh’, and ‘Dabu’ (Gujarat/Rajasthan, India), the ‘Bagh’ print (Madhya Pradesh, India) and ‘Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh)’.
Ajrakh print
Bagru print
Kalamkari print
Dabu print
Bagh Print
TAKING CARE OF COTTON SAREES
- All brand new cotton sarees will be generally stiff; this is because they will be undergoing starch treatment, during the process of manufacture. To remove this stiffness, put 2 or 3 spoons of salt into a bucket of water and then immerse the cloth in this solution.
- You must not wash two cotton sarees jointly, because, the applied dyes will ooze and thus both the sarees will get discolored.
- Washing by hand (use only mild detergent) is the best method for cotton sarees.
- You must apply caution while ironing cotton sarees. Go for the medium heat and never use the top heat level.
- You must not hang the washed cotton cloths under direct sunlight; the colors will get faded. Always take care to hang cotton materials in a shady area.
- If there are hard stains that do not fade away by mild hand washing, give the material for dry-cleaning. Too much rubbing will take away the freshness and color from the cloth.