Kanjeevaram Silk

The Pallava dynasty was known for its patronage of arts and crafts, and it is believed that the weaving of silk began in Kanchipuram during this period. Over time, the art of silk weaving became a significant part of the local economy, and the town of Kanchipuram became renowned for its exquisite South Indian Kanjivaram sarees. The weaving of Kanjivaram sarees is a highly skilled and intricate process that has been passed down through generations of weavers. Traditionally, the silk used to weave these sarees is obtained from the mulberry silkworm, which is found abundantly in South India. The process of obtaining silk from the cocoons of the silkworm is a labor-intensive process that involves boiling the cocoons and then unwinding the silk thread. Once the silk thread is obtained, it is then dyed using natural colors derived from plants, flowers and other natural sources. The dyed silk threads are then woven on a loom using a technique called ‘pit loom’ that involves the use of pedals and pulleys to create intricate patterns and designs.