Katan Silk Banarasi Saree: Inherited treasures

by - 20:29:00

Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree

Hello everyone! After your lovely response on my previous post “Kimkhwab Banarasi: My obsession with handloom sarees”, it is time now for the next post on this rich heritage handloom. Today we are talking about another variant of the Banarasi saree: Katan Banarasi. The Katan banarasi is made of pure silk and the original katan silk sarees are extremely soft and lightweight. The one we will display here today is one of my most prized possessions since this saree was worn by my mother on her wedding reception 37 years ago J


This saree is a pure katan silk “bootidar” banarasi saree. The “Katan bootidar” variant of Banarasi saree means a design with zari motifs (booti) all over the saree and an intricate border and aachal/pallu design.
 
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Back then this color was very unusual and Bengali brides generally wore a red Banarasi on their wedding and a blue one on their “Boubhaat” or reception party at the in-laws (See what I wore on my Boubhaat HERE) My grandmother however wanted her daughter-in-law to wear something different :D So she lovingly bought this sea-green banarasi saree for her J

Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree

Now since those times, saree-blouse matching concept was reigning and my mom had also wanted to wear the same matching green blouse with this saree. But my late uncle (who was a style icon among his friends) wanted to experiment with the new bride’s look and make her wear the saree in a typical Bengali style with frilled red blouse which had white lace at the sleeves. My mother was extremely skeptical but still complied with his request. The resultant look was so vintage royal-like that each guest personally praised her look J
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree

 I wanted to recreate the look but keep it wearable too (Since I do not want to look like bride in anyone else’s wedding). So I just paired it with my frilled red blouse (I do not own a lace one L), kept my hair loose and had simple smokey eyes and nude lips (Smokey Eyes tutorial HERE) with a bindi J

Katan Silk Banarasi Saree
Katan Silk Banarasi Saree

The jewellery paired here is a Kaanbaala and a Motormaala (read about the kinds of Bengali jewellery HERE).
Bengali bride in kaanbala
Kaanbala and motormala





It is very unfortunate that the katan silks sold today are mostly mixed stuff and are heavier compared to the original older ones. But still, owning a Katan silk banarasi is a matter of pride for any saree lover, more so if it was your mother’s! J

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4 comments

  1. The Saree is so beautiful and you too... Enjoyed reading the post...

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  2. Oh my god.. This is just too gorgeous!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! ^_^ Maybe more so because it is my mom's. Mothers are always special

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