Odisha is known for its rich and diverse culture, heritage, and art. One of the most prominent aspects of Odisha’s culture is its handloom sari industry, which produces some of the finest and most exquisite saris in the country. Odisha’s handloom saris are admired for their intricate weaves, patterns, designs, and colors, which reflect the influence of the Jagannath culture, the tribal traditions, and the natural beauty of the state.
Here are five handloom saris from Odisha.
Sambalpuri sari
The Sambalpuri sari is one of the most popular and prestigious handloom saris from Odisha. It is made using the ikat technique, which involves tie-dyeing the warp and weft threads before weaving them to create intricate and colorful patterns. The Sambalpuri sari is known for its geometric motifs, floral designs, and themes inspired by nature, mythology, and folklore. The Sambalpuri sari is usually made of cotton or silk and comes in a variety of colors. The Sambalpuri sari is a symbol of pride and identity for the people of Odisha and is often worn by women on festivals, weddings, and other special occasions. The price of a Sambalpuri sari depends on the quality of the fabric, the complexity of the design, and the craftsmanship of the weaver. A cotton Sambalpuri sari can cost anywhere between Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000, while a silk Sambalpuri sari can cost anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.
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Bomkai sari
The Bomkai sari, also known as Sonepuri sari, is another exquisite handloom sari from Odisha. It is made using a combination of ikat and embroidery techniques, which create a contrast between the body and the border of the sari. The Bomkai sari is known for its intricate threadwork. The sari is usually made of cotton or silk and comes in colors such as red, black, white, and yellow. The Bomkai sari is a traditional attire of the women of the Bhulia community in the Ganjam village of the Subarnapur district and is also worn by women across Odisha on auspicious occasions. The Bomkai sari is unique for its thread work, which is done by hand using a special hook called the jala. A cotton Bomkai sari can cost anywhere between Rs 3,000 to Rs 15,000, while a silk Bomkai sari can cost anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 60,000.
Khandua sari
The Khandua sari is a beautiful handloom sari from Odisha, which is made of fine cotton or silk. It is also known as Maniabandi or Tussar sari, as it is often woven with tussar silk. It is known for its intricate motifs, which are usually based on religious themes, such as the Jagannath culture, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. The sari is also known for its use of the temple border, which is a characteristic feature of Odisha’s handloom saris. The Khandua sari comes in warm colours, and is often adorned with zari or golden threads. The sari is a sacred attire of the devotees of Lord Jagannath. The Khandua sari is unique for its use of the temple border, which is a symbol of the Jagannath culture and Odisha’s handloom heritage. The price of a Khandua sari depends on the quality of the fabric, the intricacy of the design, and the amount of zari or golden threads used. A cotton Khandua sari can cost anywhere between Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000, while a silk Khandua sari can cost anywhere between Rs 20,000 to Rs 80,000.
Habaspuri sari
A cotton based handloom sari from Odisha, the Habaspuri sari is made by the Bhulia weavers of Chicheguda village in Kalahandi district. The Habaspuri sari is known for its simple and elegant motifs which are mostly geometric in design. The Habaspuri sari is also known for its use of natural colors, such as indigo, turmeric, and madder. The sari is often decorated with tassels or pompoms. It is widely regarded as a comfortable and casual attire of the women of Odisha. Unique for its use of natural colors, which are derived from plants, flowers, and minerals, the sari is often toned down from its other counterparts. The Habaspuri sari is also unique for its use of the dobby technique, which creates a textured effect on the fabric, giving it a soft and smooth feel. The price of a Habaspuri sari depends on the quality of the fabric, the simplicity of the design, and the availability of the sari. A Habaspuri sari can cost anywhere between Rs 2,000 to Rs 8,000.
Berhampuri sari
The Berhampuri sari is a silk-based traditional handloom sari from Odisha, which is made by the weavers of Brahmapur town in the Ganjam district. The Berhampuri sari is known for its heavy and coarse texture, which makes it durable and long-lasting. The Berhampuri sari is also known for its use of the Odissi style of weaving. A GI-tagged piece of clothing, the city it comes from is known as the Silk City of India. The weaving technique for this sari is said to have been invented some 600 years ago. The Zari work on it is exquisite and its price depends on the level of skill and amount of zari threads used to weave it. A unique feature of the Berhampuri sari is the heavily detailed aanchal. A Berhampuri sari can cost anywhere between Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 20,000.
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