OUR

The Korvai technique of weaving sarees has always been synonymous with Kancheepuram.  Though a few other states also produce these kind of sarees it is the South which lays claim to producing the finest of Korvai silks woven mostly in the Temple City of Kancheepuram. The tradition was existent in Thanjavur many years ago, but lost in the layers of time and now revived with vigour.

Korvai weaving demands fine skills which were passed on as oral tradition from father to son.  The body of the saree is in a different colour contrasting with the border which is in one solid colour where the weft of the body colour does not interlock with the warp threads of the border making it a double shade. In this technique the body of the sari is woven separately and the border separately on the same loom and the two interlocked by skilful weaving. The pallu is woven as a solid contrast coloured block with the petni form of weaving . these days it is common to use the kattu saayam where the threads are dyed, to save hours of weaving time.

The korvai technique slid into  oblivion when weavers were not willing to weave these sarees because it was a difficult procedure and wages were low.

Thanks to textile revivalists, who inspired communities of weavers to revive this tradition, the korvai saree has come back to stay with greater appreciation despite the enhanced cost.

 Sabita Radhakrishna

Textile revivalist