Bandhani Sarees

The Indian handcrafted traditional bandhani saree is witnessing a breathtaking renaissance and has become the most popular accessory amongst women. This also maintains a special location in fashionable wardrobes. This valuable artistry can be found not simply on female wear but also in the multicultural wardrobes of men. The rich palette of colors and unique design arrangements not only improve the appearance of the drapery but it also provide the fabric an unique personality. It is also now acknowledged as a refined fashion choice all over the globe. The term "Bandhani" or "Bandhej" originates first from the Hindi term "Bandhan," which signifies "binding." The pinky fingernail development of the artisans renders them readily distinguishable. It simplifies the process to allow them to raise the material and knot it. A few of them feature a metal ring with a sharp point design. Comparable are the qualities of Rajasthani craftspeople, although Gujarati artisans don't really utilize these working practices. Dots, squares, ripples, and streaks are some standard design motifs. Ekdali, which refers to a solitary loop, Trikunti, Chaubandi, Dungar Shahi, Boond, which refers to a tiny dot with a darkish core, Kodi, that is a droplet shape, Laddu Jalebi, that is a circular Indian sweet, and Leheriya are a few of the designs' names. Every locality, community, and class possesses its own distinctive visual capabilities, and the bandhani textile is an outstanding representation of the Indian artistic expression of dyeing.

The Bandhani Technique

Both the origins as well as the artistry of Bandhani are remarkable. The fabric that is to be dyed is tied firmly at various regions before even being dyed in vivid colors. These strands or loops prohibit that section of the tied material from picking up dye when it's dyed, preserving its white or the fabric's original color. Two steps comprise the tie-dye technique: weaving and curing. These procedures are managed by two distinct societies. Generally a Khatri, the artisans make exquisite motifs out of dots and other hues. Women from the nearby neighborhoods represent the majority of the tiers. The patterns' intricacy and level of refinement, in addition to the hues used to create them, differ from one region to another.Designs are imprinted utilizing nail blocks, paper designs, and woodblocks. The printing methodology makes use of a geru and water mixture. Nail blocks which have been marinated in oil for the past night can be utilized to create intricate forms. The fabric is left to dry in the open air after being dyed. According to the weather, drying can be a lengthy process. It takes approximately two days to dry out during the monsoon while only 4-5 hours during the summertime. It needs approximately 6-7 hours to dry in the wintertime.

An individual's enthusiasm and confidence are enhanced by color. The three principal colors are red, yellow, and blue. Yellow symbolizes pleasure, blue represents the color associated with Lord Krishna, and red symbolizes passion and feelings. Historically, organic colors have been employed to dye the textiles. Rusted iron pieces, myrobalan powder, alizarin pigment, kesuda blossoms, pomegranate peel, dried mango powder, lime juice, and alum are the components used during textile dyeing. 

FAQS

Q1. What does Bandhani symbolize?

The bandhani, which serves as an universal symbol of femininity, romance, and matrimonial pleasure and serves as an essential element of marital costume, was first worn in a royal wedding during the era of Bana Bhatt's Harshacharita.

Q2. How does Bandhani saree colors address life stages?

Bandhani is also used to talk about life's various stages. While green represents conception, yellow signifies maternity, and red represents matrimony.

Bandhani saris are made from the traditional “tie and dye” method. The word Bandhani is derived from the Sanskrit word “Bandhna” or “Bandha”. The literal meaning of it is “tied”. This method creates different attractive patterns and styles of exquisite colors in miriad ways. The process involves tying the fabric first and then dying it in one or more colors of contrasting shades. As a result, the fabric gets imprinted with different random geometrical patterns of vibrant colors on it.

This technique used to create colored Bandhani saris is very old and dates back to thousands of years. Initially, this was manually done by using hands and finger nails but now with the advancement of technology, the procedure has evolved greatly to make it easier and more effective. Plastic stencils are used these days to get the desired patterns imprinted. Nowadays, Bandhani saris come in countless shades and unthinkable patterns and designs. With innovative methods of manufacture, now even floral patterns amongst others are easily imprinted on the fabric. Almost all types of fabric are used in creating Bandhani saris. You can get one in cotton, Georgette, crepe and other fabrics as well.

Connected with the western part of India, Bandhani saris are said to have come from the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Specially made by craftsmen in the Kutch Belt of Gujarat, these designs are the specialty of the Mandvi Families. Then, be it Anjar, Bhuj or even Jamnagar, the Mandvi families exhibit their Bandhani art everywhere in Gujarat. These days, other parts of Gujarat like Deesa, Porbandar, Morbi, Rajkot and Surendranagar districts are also widely known for their version of Bandhani saris. For the finest Bandhani saris one has to go all the way to the deserts of Bikaner in the Sikar district.

The Bandhani saris were originally only made with contrasting shades of colors and sold. Currently, artisans create new patterns and designs with motifs and embellishments are added to the fabrics after the tie-dye process. Such saris are mostly sought for by designer wear seekers and the cost of these Bandhani saris depends hugely on the patterns and designs imprinted on them. The finer the design of Bandhani sari, the steeper will be its price. Worked upon by hand, this manual technique used for coloring and printing fabric requires skilled artisans who can trace the design first and then die it by tying different parts with distinct colors at a different interval. The fabric industry involved in crafting brightly colourful Bandhani saris need creativity, time and traditional techniques along with skilled artists who are able to do it with perfection. Connected with people as auspicious prints, in India the market of Bandhani saris has always been high. It is believed that these saris are connected with the luck of the bride where colors like yellow and red symbolize the auspicious marriage ceremony and green is associated with the fertility of a woman. Hence, every wedding in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, does include at least a few Bandhani saris in the bridal collection.

Though the fashion of alluring Bandhani saris is considered as uniquely associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan, yet states of like Punjab and Madhya Pradesh also have their own versions of Bandhani saris. The Bandhani prints produced in these states have larger and thicker motifs and patterns. Usually things like kidney beans, coins and even by pebbles are used by artisans to get a specific pattern imprinted on the fabric. South India has its own Bandhani print with dots as motifs on the fabric.

The fabric used in preparing Bandhani saris is usually white and unbleached. Then, using traditional red shade known as Geru is mixed with water to create a paste. And, later with the help of pebbles, bean or coins the fabric is dyed with these shapes. Whatever may be the method, the elegance and charm of these saris are unmatched.

HOW TO DRAPE A SAREE

STEP 1

Two essential pieces of garments, that go alongwith the Sari, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Sari. These are:

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• A petticoat - which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the Sari, after having worn it.
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• A blouse - which needs to be tight-fitting and whose color needs to be chosen keeping the look of the sari in mind, can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.

STEP 2

Start wearing the sari by tucking its plain/upper end into the petticoat, at a position which is a little bit to the right of the navel. Make sure that the lower end of the sari should be touching the floor, and that the whole length of the sari comes on the left-hand side. Now wrap the sari around yourself once, with the sari now coming back in the front, on your right side.

STEP 3

Make about 5 to 7 pleats of equal width of 5 inches, starting at the tucked-in end. Gather the pleats together, neatly, ensuring that the lower edge of the pleats are even and just off the ground and that the pleats fall straight and evenly. A safety pin may be used to stop the pleats from scattering.

STEP 4

Neatly tuck the pleats into the petticoat, at the waist, slightly to the left of the navel, in such a manner that they open to your left.

STEP 5

Drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more left to right, and bring it round your hips to the front, holding the top edge of the sari.

STEP 6

Slightly raise the remaining portion of the Sari on your back, bringing it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that the end of the Sari falls to about the level of your knees.

The end portion thus draped, from the left shoulder onwards, is called the Pallav or the Pallu, and can be prevented from slipping off teh shoulder, by fastening it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety pin.