Kanakavalli’s pick for The Beautiful Drape for May is a gorgeous kanjivaram from our design-led Vault collective of heirloom saris that are exclusive to the brand. The beauty of this drape lies in its extraordinary use of colour to showcase the dramatic geometry of its layout.
The body of the kanjivaram is embellished with gold checks known as puni-kattam, which do not extend into the pallu. This is achieved through a technique known as killu mundi.
The borders, in a contrast hue, are flanked by two rows of salangai or anklet designs, mutthu seeru, parakum kuthirai or winged horses and vanki patterns in zari and contrast or complementary silk thread. The classic pallu, woven in the adai technique, is adorned with bands of mutthu seeru alongside hints of contrast colour.
Available in several striking colourways, this kanjivaram is embellished with zari with a composition of 40% silver and 0.3% gold.