The Kerala Cotton
Sari has evolved from the Mundum Neriyathum, the traditional attire of women in the South Indian state of Kerala. In fact
the Mundum Neriyathum can be said to have influenced the creation of the modern
Saree.
Once woven by hand alone, the Kerala Cotton Handloom
Sarees have slowly given way to the manufacture of the Kerala Cotton Saree by power looms. Hand embroidered motifs have
also been replaced by designer prints of the motif.
The Kerala
Cotton Saree with golden, copper-coloured or Zari borders for a white or cream
fabric, also known as Kasavu Saree, is specially made to be worn during
festivals and auspicious occasions. As with Mundum Neriyathum, the blouse matches the Kerala Cotton
Saree for festive occasions with colours based on the age and marital status of
the woman. A green coloured blouse would be for young, unmarried girls, while
the married and middle aged women wear red blouses.
Modern day prints on the cotton fabric with
coloured borders and popular designs of peacock and temple adorning the pallu,
have made the Kerala Cotton Handloom Saree popular as daily wear.
Historically,
the Mundum Neriyathum, or the
two piece cotton fabric worn since ancient times, is still a traditional
costume. The Neriyathu, draping the upper torso, from right hip to left
shoulder over the blouse, with the portion beyond the shoulder left hanging,
has come from Buddhist and Jain influences of ancient India, with the coloured
borders of the garment supposedly being borrowed from Greco-Roman culture.
In simple form it is daily wear, in the
Kasavu form it is grand and meant for festival wear
Modern day prints on the cotton fabric with
coloured borders and popular designs of peacock and temple adorning the pallu,
have also made the Kerala Cotton Handloom Saree popular as daily wear.
The Kerala Cotton Saree is woven from unbleached cotton or Kora cloth.
With a golden Jari border and motifs of
animals, birds, peacocks, flowers, fruits and leaves, it is highly popular.
Adding style to the handloom saree are motifs of checks and stripe patterns on
wooden block prints using vegetable dyes.
A popular variety of the Kerala
Cotton Saree has Zari Buttas and a Resham Zari Border, coupled with an elegant
pallu, preferred as occasion wear in corporate offices, colleges and schools.
It also appeals as novel wear during festivals.
Equally enticing is the Kerala
Cotton Sari with block printed motifs and multi-thread embroidered border in
half-half pattern with contrasting colours. It makes it suitable for daily
casual, office wear during summer and traditional functions.
Online websites such as Unnati Silks, with a large collection of traditional and trendy Kerala Cotton
Handloom Sarees, with beautiful prints, broad borders, exquisite pallus, could
be the answer to getting the Kerala Cotton Sarees of choice and quality at
reasonable prices.
About
Unnati - Unnati Silks, single window shopping stop
for 300 + ethnic Sarees and Salwar Kameez materials. COD and Free Delivery for
retail, dispatches within 24 hours of booking, Speedy and Secure Delivery,
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