Baluchari Saree: The Tradition and History of Bengal
Mankind has always been inspired by images era after era. We have depicted the surroundings and told the story of our lives from the cave-living time. But throughout the many eras, we learned to convert images into tangible forms. Our ancestors weave the forms on fabric which was named as Baluchari saree many years later. Baluchari silk sarees are not just a piece of clothing but a symbol of Bengali culture and tradition. The rich history of this saree can be traced back to the Mughal era. The beauty of these Bengali sarees lies in the intricate designs that often depict nature, mythology, and folklore. The weaving of these sarees involves skilled craftsmanship, making them highly valued. Most people confuse the Baluchari saree with Swarnachari saree. However, it is a variation of Baluchari saree. While Swarnachari sarees have a more opulent look due to the use of gold threads, Baluchari sarees are known for their intricate pallus and borders.
Today, Baluchari sarees continue to be a popular choice for women across the country. Their beauty and elegance have made them popular on the global fashion stage as well.
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What Is A Baluchari Saree?
Baluchari saree is a type of saree that is worn by women of West Bengal and Bangladesh. This saree originated in Bengal, India. The main design includes mythological scenes on the Anchal or pallu of the saree. The experts mainly manufacture it in Murshidabad which takes a minimum of one week. The Indian Government has granted this saree as a geographical indication in India.
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What Are The Significant Features Of This Timeless Attire?
Baluchari saree is decorated with attractive and colorful motifs. The attraction of this saree lies in the color of the body fabric. Most Baluchari sarees are green, red, blue, and yellow.
Previously, in most Baluchari sarees, the artists weave animal, bird, and floral motifs on the body parts. Gradually, they started weaving elephant and horse motifs followed by Nawab’s court. The pallu of the saree often depicts the main story, while the borders feature complementary designs. During British raj, the motifs of sahib and memsahib appeared in this type of saree.
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The Fascinating History Of Baluchari Saree
In the textile history of Bengal, Baluchari came much after the famous Maslin. Approx. 200 years old, a few experts manufactured Baluchari sarees in a small village named Baluchar in the Murshidabad district.
This saree is named after the place. Murshid Quli Khan, Nawab of Bengal admired the weaving style of this saree a lot. He encouraged the artists to manufacture and then export these sarees from Dhaka to Murshidabad. However. after a sudden flood, the entire industry shifted to Bishnupur from Baluchar. Apart from that, during British rule, this industry declined on account of financial and political reasons.
Types of Baluchari Saree
- Baluchari - It is the most common Baluchari saree where the artists use one or two colored threads to weave the entire pattern. The designs are handwoven into the fabric, making each piece unique and a work of art.
- Swarnachari - In this saree, the experts use gold-colored threads to illuminate the patterns. The use of gold threads gives the saree a shimmering effect that is nothing short of breathtaking.
- Meenakari- The weavers use one or two colored threads along with meenakari work which brightens the pattern. The colorful Meenakari work adds a new dimension to the already intricate and elaborate designs of the Baluchari saree.
The Real Problem
The wide variety of techniques, textures, and designs of the Baluchari sarees are extremely eye-catching. However, the weaving costs are so high that it led to a downfall in the recent past. Consequently, many master weavers have migrated to other centers. The hope is that nowadays women become well aware of fashion and their traditions. Therefore, Baluchari is gaining popularity all over again.
Experience the Touch of Real Bengal
There is no doubt that Baluchari carries the tradition, heritage, culture, and identity of Bengal cum India to the world. Therefore, it is our responsibility to promote our culture to the world.
We all know that the world has become a global village where we can experience other’s traditions and cultures easily. We take immense pride in promoting the beauty and elegance of Baluchari sarees through our online website. Our collection of Baluchari sarees is carefully curated, ensuring that we have a wide range of designs and colors that can allure anyone. We are committed to providing our customers with an unforgettable shopping experience.
If you want to wear this gorgeous Baluchari Saree on any occasion or party and be the center of attraction, then contact us at Banglar Saree.
Frequently Asked Questions –
What are the special features of the Baluchari saree?
The most unique feature of a Baluchari saree is the use of human brocade figures to design the border and pallu. Its intricate designs and silk fabric makes them appear like royal attire.
How to care for a Baluchari saree?
Baluchari sarees are delicate and should be handled with care. | It's better to dry clean or hand wash them in cold water and hang them to dry in a shaded area.
