Indias Silken Heritage: The Story of Net Saree

India's rich history and heritage are well documented. Many books chronicle the country's legacy, but there are also lesser-known facts about its culture. Did you know that the sari first originated from India? Or did the Chola—a loose-fitting top worn as an undershirt or a standalone shirt—originate from South India? The net saree, also known as the 'Pancha Pandi' or 'brocade saree' and 'Bengal net sari' among other names, is a traditional Indian garment made of net fabric with brocade work on it in gold or silver thread. It is believed to have been popularized by Queen Victoria after visiting Kolkata and meeting with socialite Rammohan VidyaVedantin. The queen was impressed by the simplicity of the saree, which led her to commission several designers to make it more appealing. Its popularity peaked during her rule, followed by a decline afterwards.

Net Saree’s Rich History and Heritage

We have discussed above that the net saree is a traditional Indian garment. There are wide varieties of sarees which are made with different fabrics. It is made of pure silk fabric, which makes it unique. Silk was very popular in India in ancient times. It is believed that silk was cultivated in China and then spread to other countries. In India, silk cocoons were found in the ruins of Harappa and other places. It is purely Indian and is believed to be several thousand years old. It is said that the Net or silk saree is the most civilized and cultured sari. These were worn by India's wealthy, upper class or royal family. These days, the silk net sari is mainly worn by women in Bengal and is a very expensive sari.

Why are net sarees not as famous?

The main reason why the net saree is not as popular as it once was is that it is a cumbersome garment. The fabric used in its making is silk, a costly material. Silk is a natural fabric made by a silkworm called Bombyx mori. Silk is an expensive fabric, and the net saree made of pure silk is very costly. People belonging to the middle or lower class could not afford to buy a net saree. Another reason it is not as popular as it once was is because it is a complicated garment to wear and maintain. Silk is a very delicate fabric and has to be handled very carefully. The person who wears it must be prudent while sitting or moving around.

What makes a good Net Sari?

Its design is the first and most important factor that makes a good net saree. A net sari is incomplete without its brocade design. The pattern and the creation of the saree are significant. The method of the sari can tell us a lot about the person wearing it. Another critical factor is the colour of the net sari. The colour of the net sari should match the skin tone. The colour of a net sari should be bright and attractive. A good net saree should be long enough to cover the legs of the person wearing it. Another critical factor that makes a good net saree is the fabric used in its making. The saree should be made of pure silk. The net sari made of cotton is not as good as the silk net sari. A good net saree should be light in weight and should be easy to wear and maintain.

How to spot a fake net saree?

Checking if a net saree is real or fake is the first and most crucial step when purchasing one. Authentic silk net sarees cost more than replicas. A net saree's pricing ought to reflect its level of quality. Synthetic cloth is used to make the fake ones. The imitation net sari's colour gradually disappears. Authentic silk net sarees cost a lot of money. Sarees made of natural silk net are lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Conclusion

Silk net saris are famous traditional Indian saris made of pure silk fabric. The net saree is a cumbersome garment that is problematic to wear and maintain. The net saree is a costly garment worn mainly by the wealthy, upper-class, or royal family members. The fabric used in making the net saree is necessary as it determines the quality of the net sari. The person buying the saree should check whether it is an absolute net sari or a fake one. One can easily spot an artificial net saree as the colour of that fades away quickly.

I am Charles Patrick Content writer at Mirraw online Services Pvt Ltd. I write blogs on Indian women's traditional Clothing like Saree, lehengas, salwaar kameez, kurtis etc.