Kanakavalli's January pick for The Beautiful Drape is a stunning kanjivaram that showcases some of the craft's most classic motifs and patterns, combining intricate detail with a dramatic layout.
The body of this sari is woven with kamalam or lotus buttas and star rudraksha buttas in gold zari. The borders feature bambaram moggu (motifs inspired by the traditional spinning top), delicate seer lines, pearl-like rows of muthu and intricate kodi or vine patterns, enclosing a row of yanai (elephant) and mayil (peacock) motifs. Between these is a silk band in a contrasting hue, and the borders end in a selvedge. The exquisitely detailed pallu is woven with bambaram moggu, benaras twill designs, wavy neli lines resembling the traditional toe ring design, manga (mango) and spade-shaped thilakam motifs, as well as bands with mythical yalis and annams separated by thoon vanki or pillars of chevron detailing. The central band of the pallu has an aayiram butta formation or a thousand-butta design, with multiple mayil (peacock) and circular chakaram motifs in a repeat pattern.
This kanjivaram is the epitome of tradition; a celebration of the craft's motifs, colours and weave patterns. Available in multiple colour ways, it features zari with a composition of 0.3% gold and 24-26% silver.