The season of romance is upon us, and Kanakavalli is celebrating with Kili: Messengers of Love, a special curation that spotlights the beloved parrot motif on the kanjivaram.
The kili is believed to be the vaahan or vehicle of Kamadeva, the god of love. In South India, the bird is sacred to three revered goddesses – Meenakshi of Madurai, Andal of Srivilliputhur and Kamakshi of Kanchipuram. A symbol of devotion and desire, the parrot – with its extraordinary ability to mimic human speech – is considered a messenger of love, carrying whispers of longing to the beloved.
On the kanjivaram, the parrot motif is intricate and stylised, perched upon borders or pallus with a long tail fanning out, dotting the body in delicate pairs or woven as an elaborate flock of birds in flight. Like the kanjivaram's other motifs of flora and fauna, the kili is more than just a beautiful embellishment – it is rich in significance, transferring its symbolism to the wearer like a secret woven into the silk. Often found adorning the bridal kanjivaram, the parrot carries its message of love on the wedding day.
The palette for this curation of exquisite kanjivarams includes red, the universal colour of love. On the queen of silks, the hue is iconic, ranging from the orange-tinged thakkali (tomato red) to the vermillion of milagai (red chillies) and the deep ruby red of kempu, among other dramatic shades.

Discover the collection right here...