Blog : Why You Should Own at Least one Baluchuri Saree

The famous Baluchari saree originally started in West Bengal, India. The name Baluchari derives from the word baluchar. Baluchar is a small village in Murshidabad district. In the 18th century under the patronage of Nawab Murshidkuli Khan of Bengal the baluchari saree started its journey. But frequent flood of the river Ganga and the subsequent submerging of the village, the weaving industry of baluchari saree moved to Bishnupur of Bankura district from this small village baluchar.

Earlier the baluchari saree was only hand woven until the artist shubho Thakur helped developing the technique of jacquard weaving. This new jacquard weaving technique simplified the process and reduced the time of weaving the whole saree.

The characteristic of this baluchari saree is that stories of mainly epic Ramayana and Mahabharata are intricately designed on the saree. Apart from that, stories from mythology, folk tales and social themes are depicted on the pallu portion of the saree. Brilliant pictorial theme has made Baluchari saree a unique piece of art. It has gained global reputation for its unique and unusual saree designs which can be found nowhere else in the world. Baluchari saree is granted geographical Indication or prestigious GI tag because of its unique and stunning quality.

The original and authentic baluchari saree is woven on tussar or pure bright colored mulberry silk. Baluchari silk saree is a quite costly saree and is worn by elite class during auspicious ceremony. Now a days cotton baluchari saree is also being made keeping the price comparatively low so that many people can afford it.

Threads are being made from lots of eco-friendly items like banana stem, banana plants, bamboo trees, etc. organic color to color the threads are made from flower dye, fruits dye, neem leaves, turmeric, etc. This new type of baluchari is being called as organic baluchari and it has become a craze of ecofriendly people.

But original and authentic baluchari with GI tag are mainly of three types Resham Baluchari, Meenakari Baluchari and Baluchari in gold which is also called Swarnachari. Among these three types resham Baluchari is the simplest one where a single colored silk thread is used to weave the entire pattern on mainly the bright colored silk saree.

In meenakari baluchari various colored silk threads are used to depict the pattern and to give it more attractive look. Swarnachari is the most gorgeous one where gold and silver colored thread along with other colored silk thread are used to depict the pattern.