The Khadi Saree, A Legacy To A National Fabric

Khadi is hand spun and hand woven cloth. Raw materials such as cotton, silk or wool, hand spun on a spinning wheel or ‘charaka’ are Khadi. Popular for the texture and weaving patterns, Khadi Cotton Sarees appeal for the Fancy prints of block, batik and gold adorning them.

Introduced by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 as part of the Swadeshi Movement, Khadi has many qualities worthy of a good fabric.

Khadi Cottons offer resistance to shrinking, acquire colour fastness, have quality of seamless finishing and make fine blends. Unique, since it feels warm in winter and keeps the body cool in summer, Khadi also has a distinctive attribute of acquiring shine after every wash.

Indian fashion designers have extolled the virtues of Khadi. They find it comparable to the qualities of Egyptian cotton and linen.

Khadi clothes well and follows contours of the body. After a few washes the fabric assumesa right fit. It also has breathing quality, a self-texture, and blended with denim, wool, polyester and silk has produced remarkable results.

The charm and appeal of the Khadi Saree lies in its ruffled and wavy look. Unlike cotton, the material is generally starched and hence, does not crumple as easily.

Khadi is available from different parts of the country. The Silk variety is available from the Eastern and North Eastern States, Cotton Khadi from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Poly Khadi is from Gujarat and Rajasthan, while Woolen Khadi is from the Northern States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Established in 1956, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), controls the production and marketing of Khadi across the country. Today it has an estimated working strength across the country of more than 75 lakh people, associated with it in different ways.

Khadi Cottons in their modern format are stupendous marvels. Gicha or Ghicha is a variant of Khadi Cotton and the Gicha Cotton Sarees have displayed this quality in their wide range.

The trendy Ghicha Supernet Sari embroidered with multi thread embroidery, kundans and sequins work or the Gicha Silk Saree embellished with zari patch work and zari border, are stylish offerings and very suitable wear for special invites and parties.

New Gicha Matka Cotton Saree of gold printed mango booties and double printed border with an elegant pallu is preferred wear to corporate offices, college and traditional occasions.

Designer half and half Gicha Silk Sari of embroidery buttis having patola border looks spectacular. It can be worn during festivals, family get-togethers and special occasions.

Pure Gicha Cotton Sarees with multi color printed stripes and booties on border are fashion wear, suited for formal functions.

Stylish embroidery work enhances the beauty of Khadi pure Silk Saris.

Fancy mango booties or floral designs, on pure Khadi Silk Saree with beautiful Valkalam border is an Indian ethnic wear. It can be worn for functions, festivals and corporate events.

Zari embroidery flowers on South Khadi Silk Sari with printed patch border and elegant pallu is apt for grand outings.

Prachi.L She is a freelancer long associated with ethnic fabrics, known for her special leaning towards ethnic sarees. She enjoys the privilege of being a part-time consultant to Unnati Silks. S.E-mail her at unnatikaro@gmail.com.