Kanakavalli's pick for The Beautiful Drape this August is a classic kanjivaram that celebrates the craft's traditional techniques, ornamentation and rich colour palette.
The body of the sari is dotted with kamalam (lotus) and paisley buttas in zari, alternating through the expanse of silk. The contrast straight-edge korvai borders feature vanki kann (patterns resembling eyes, inspired by the South Indian armlet design) within which are spade-shaped thilagam motifs enclosing retta manga (pairs of paisleys), flanked by thin lines of benaras twill designs and a row of moggu (flower bud motifs). The band of colour at the centre of the borders is known as asthiri - this introduction of an alternate colour in the warp threads creates an interesting interplay of colour. The top of the borders feature thin benaras bands enclosing wavy neli lines, inspired by the metti or bridal toe ring.
The pallu, attached in the benth technique, features diamond kann patterns, enclosing retta manga. It is also embellished with bands of silk in complementary hues, benaras and neli patterns, with a central band of sharp edged seeprekku designs resembling the teeth of a comb.
Delicate accents, woven with laborious traditional techniques, beautifully highlight the structured layout and delightful colours of this exquisite drape. This kanjivaram, available in multiple colourways, features zari with a composition of 0.3% gold and 25-27% silver.