Sparkling Bengal silks sarees online.

Bengal is a historical and geographical region in South Asia, which forms the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the bay of Bengal. The city has fertile of Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. The region was politically divided in 1947 and today comprises the nation of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous kingdoms of Bengal are now part of the neighbouring Indian states of Assam. Tripura, Bihar, Jharkand and Odisha. The region of Bengal is natively inhabited by Bengali people who speak the Bengali language.

The Kolkata (previously Calcutta) and Dhaka (previously Dacca) are located in Bengal. The Bengal region is a contribution to South Asian history through the Bengal Renaissance, revolutionary activities, its central role in the Indian Independence movement, the Bengali language movment and the Bangladesh.The common Bengali language and culture anchors the shared tradition of two parts of politically divided Bengal. Bengal has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by charyanpada, Mangalkavya, shreekrishna Kirtana, Maimansingha Gitika or Thakurmar Jhuli. Bengali literature in the medieval age was often either religious (e.g. chandidas) or adaptations from other languages (e.g.Alaol). the Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bangla folk music.

Rice and fish are traditional favourite foods, leading to a saying that in Bengali, mach or bhaath bangali baanaay tt translates as fish and rice make a Bengali. Bengal’s vast repertorie of fish-based dishes includes Hilsa preparations. A favourite among Bengalis. Bengalis make distinctive sweetmeats from milk products including Roshogolla, chomchom, and several kinds of pith.

The women adopt mostly of Baluchar sari. The type of sari or garment worn by women across India and Bangladesh are very frequent. This particular type of sari originated in Bengal and is known for depictions of mythological scenes on the pallu of the sari. It is mainly produced in Murshdabad and producing one sari takes approximately one week or more. The Baluchari sari has been granted the status of Geographical indication in India.

In the history of textile in Bengal, Baluchari came much after Maslin. Two hundred years ago Baluchari was used to be practiced in a small village called Baluchar in Murshidabad district, from where it got the name Baluchari. In the 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 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.

Once Bishnupur was the capital of Malla dynasty and different kinds of crafts flourished during their period under the patronage of Malla kings. 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 Baluchari sarees, is a common feature in Bishnupur.

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.