Recently while watching TV I purchased this sari on the spur of the moment. As it was my first purchase from TV I was indeed very nervous but it turned out to be a good decision none the less. It is light and bright with a mixture of traditional block print and with a geometric twist at the pleats. And I love the colour combinatiion too! Fresh and bright!
Bengal is well known for it's cotton hand loom saris like
Dhonekhali, Phuliya, Tangail (now in present day Bangladesh), however there are a few silk varieties such as
Bishnupuri, khadi, muga, paat, tasar and
Murshidabadi silk which are also well known. Murshidabadi silk is the most popular as it is light in texture and best for the sultry summers and light winters for most of Bengal.
My work with Self Employed Women's Association or SEWA provided me with an opportunity to visit Murshidabad for a field study and I met the magic weavers and printers, It was delightful for me to see the saris being made from this light silk yarn. But the socio - economic condition of the weavers needs much improvement like everywhere else in India. As India is the highest consumer of silk it is sad that Murshidabadi silk is not so popular. Although it is a popular silk in West Bengal but not many people are aware of its presence in today's India. The reason being lack of qulaity control, little or no design up-gradation and smart marketing.
Hope organization such as
Dastkar will take up the cause these weavers seriously in future and help them grow more popular all over India and abroad. It's time we do our bit to revive the magic weaving quality of our country.
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