Sizzling Baluchari online saree

Baluchar sari worn by women across India originated in Bengal and is known for depictions of mythological scenes on the pallu of the sari. It is mainly produced in Murshidabad and producing one sari takes approximately one week or more. The Baluchari sari has been granted the status of Geographical indication in India. In history of textiles in Bengal, Baluchari came much after Maslin. Two hundred years ago Baluchari used to be practiced in a small village called Baluchar in Murshidabad district, from where it got the name Baluchar. In 18th century, Murshidkuli Khan, Nawab of Bengal patronized its rich weaving tradition and brought the craft of making this sari from Dhaka to the Baluchar village in Murshidabad and encouraged the industry to flourish.

After a flood in the Ganga river and the subsequent submerging of the village, the industry moved to Bishnupur village in Bankura district. The sari industry prospered in Bishnupur, Bankura during the reign of the Malla dynasty. But this flouring trend later declined, specially during British rule, due to political and financial reasons and it became a dying craft as most of the weavers were compelled to give up the profession.

Later the first half of twentieth century, Subho Thakur, a famous artist, felt the need of recultvating the rich tradition of Baluchari craft. Though Bishnupur was always famous for its silk, he invited Akshay Kumar Das, a master weaver of Bishnupur to his center to learn the technique of Jacquard weaving. Sri Das then went back to Bishnupur and worked hard to weave Baluchari on their looms.

Temples made of terracotta bricks were one achievement of these rulers. A major influence of these temples can be seen in Baluchari sarees. Mythological stories taken from the walls of temples and woven on Balchari sarees, is a common feature in Bishnupur.

Since the discovery so many years ago that the fiber of filament composing the cocoon of the silkworm can be constructed into a beautiful and durable fabric, silkworms have been bred for the sole purpose of producing raw silk. Processing of yarns to make the yarn soft, it is boiled in a solution of soda and soap and then dyed in acid colour, according to the requirement of the saree. The yarn is stretched from both the sides in opposite directions putting some force with both palms. This process is needed to make the yarn crisper.

Bishnupur, patronized by the Malla Dynasty rulers for the continuation of this art, was itself affected later by the apathy of the British. Suffering a tremendous decline the Baluchar art almost died.

Post-independence revival by a person named Subho Thakur, through the weaving skills of Das, a weaver from Bishnupur and knowledgeable in this art form, restored the glory of this fine weave once again.

This time round the Baluchari Saree once hand-woven, was tried out on Jacquard looms and the success of the experiment is now for all to see in the current weaving method of this art weave.

The Baluchar sari making process is intricate. Silkworms bred for the purpose of producing raw silk yield the raw material. The yarn processing involves dipping the yarn in a solution of soda and soap, boiling and then dyeing it accordingly. The yarn is stretched in opposite directions to make the yarn crisper.

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.