Baluchari Saree
Having its origin in the state of West Bengal in India, the Baluchari Saree is mainly used by the women of the neighboring countries of India and Bangladesh.
This type of saree is woven by hand using richly dyed silk along with intricate motifs showcasing the mythology of India woven onto the large pallu.
It takes several weeks to weave a Baluchari, and most of the artisans are from the district of Murshidabad in West Bengal.
The designs are primarily obtained from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and it is worn mainly as a symbol of status and aristocracy.
There is no doubt that these are actually the items of connoisseurs.
Origin and history
As already mentioned, the saree mentioned in this article has its origin in West Bengal.
The term Baluchari came into existence since the weaving of these sarees actually commenced in a small village known as Baluchar located in Murshidabad approximately 5 centuries earlier.
However, the weaving setup was shifted to Bishnupur because of some natural calamities, and the industry developed rapidly following the British rule.
The making of a Baluchari saree
It is a fact that plenty of time will be consumed for manufacturing a typical Baluchari saree.
Extremely skillful craftsmanship will be required to do so, and it usually takes approximately one week to weave a single saree.
Being handwoven, these sarees use pure yarns depending on the material.
The sarees were woven originally using the purest of silk threads; nevertheless, the weavers also used cotton fabric in place of silk threads with the passage of time to weave these Baluchari sarees.
The cultivation of mulberry silkworms is done by means of a procedure known as Sericulture and silk yarns will be extracted from the cocoons of these silkworms.
Following this, these silk yarns are made colorful and smooth by boiling them in soda and hot water and treating them using acid color dye.
Following this, the artisans will stretch the yarn to make it strong and tight so that it can be woven into a Baluchari saree.
The complicated, yet attractive procedure of weaving the motifs and embroidery will come next.
First, the artisans will draw the raw designs on paper and then they will be punched back into the saree.
These days, the colors used for weaving these sarees are cheerful and bright.
Many types of eco-friendly items are also utilized to weave these sarees today. In fact, items such as bamboo trees and natural products such as flower dye, banana plant stems, neem leaves, fruit dye, turmeric leaves as well as dried twigs are utilized in the process of weaving.
Interesting facts about Baluchari sarees
• It is the ladies from upper-class families who are mainly used to wearing these types of sarees on marriage ceremonies and festive occasions.
• The Baluchari saree has been one of the prestigious National Award winners among the primary weaving styles in 2009 and 2010 and it was the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, who gave these awards.
How to clean Baluchari sarees?
If you like to wear attractive sarees, especially Baluchari sarees, then you need to clean them properly every time after wearing them.
Here, we have mentioned some guidelines that will help you to clean your Baluchari saree effectively.
• Make use of mild soap and a soft piece of cloth. After wetting the cloth, rub the cloth against the fabric gently until it is possible to get rid of the dirt and stains. Do not use an excessive amount of water since it might result in wrinkles in the fabric.
• In case of any stubborn spills or stains, it’ll be a good idea to soak the saree in lukewarm water along with a small amount of laundry detergent for approximately half an hour before washing with other clothes in cold water.
• If it is not possible to remove the stains after trying the initial method, it’ll be advisable for you to spray a small amount of white vinegar onto a towel and wipe along the stain. It will also help to neutralize any smell caused by any chemical residue or perspiration on the saree.
How to dry your Baluchari Silk sari?
• The saree must be hung properly. Try to spread out the saree evenly such that all the weight is hanging uniformly from the loops.
• Make use of an air vent or fan. In case there is an air conditioning unit in your house, make certain to set the apparatus on high so that it is possible for air to circulate around the saree comprehensively while accelerating the drying procedure. Otherwise, a fan can also be used if there is adequate breeze outdoors.
• Never overdo it since overdrying silk can result in damage that cannot be restored by any means. It’ll be a good idea to leave the saree outside for a minimum of 2 hours at a given time before bringing it in once again.
Uniqueness of Baluchari sarees
• A Baluchari saree’s pallu is reputed for its pattern featuring depictions of mythological scenes.
• It will take approximately 7 to 8 days to finish the task of preparing these sarees to make them more unique.
• It is sometimes possible to find themes of animals and birds considered within the flora or fauna of these sarees.
• Embroidered panels on the saree’s pallu have either got inspiration from mythological tales, or from real life.
How is it possible to distinguish an authentic Baluchari saree?
It is simple to recognize a Baluchari silk sari since they feature a long pallu and their designs have been positioned in perfect rectangular corners along with close corners such that there is no possibility for the designs to break.
The Baluchari happens to be a rich part of the history of Bengal and it is more likely a record of the culture and individuals of a bygone era that has been forgotten gradually.
At present, almost no one is able to comprehend where a Baluchari saree was first manufactured although it is extremely popular.
