South Indian sarees are not just an attire; they are traditions draped with grace. Traditional South Indian sarees carry the timeless heritage and weaving culture of the southern parts of India, which includes Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.
One of the most loved sarees among South Indian wedding sarees are the Kanchipuram silk sarees that has heavy and lustrous richness. Traditional South Indian sarees have heavy Zari work, divine and traditional prints.
At Dwarakadas Shaamkumar, South Indian sarees are designed to last for decades and yet carry the same flawlessness.
What defines a saree as a South Indian saree?
South Indian Sarees are traditionally from the southern regions of India. They contain the culture, heritage, and traditions from the southern states. These states are renowned for their regional prints, motifs, and historical patterns.
Whether it’s Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu, Mysore silk from Karnataka or Gadwal sarees from Telangana all of them have a subtle lustre, soft fabric, traditional prints and beautiful Zari which ultimately makes south Indian sarees unique in design and quality.
Which sarees are famous in South India?
Sarees hailing from South India are known for their durability, elegance, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. Some of them include:
Kanchipuram (Kanjeevaram) Silk saree– These sarees are authentically from the city of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their soft mulberry silk weave. They have richness in texture and are durable. They are also known for their heavy Zari work.
Mysore Silk saree – These sarees come from the city of Mysore in Karnataka and are also woven from pure mulberry silk. They are known for their sheen and minimal but elegant Zari work.
Pochampally Ikat sarees – Origin of these sarees is from the village Pochampally in Andhra Pradesh. Unlike silk sarees from other regions, these have minimal work on borders. Pochampally sarees are famous for their ikat technique.
This technique forms bold geometric and symmetrical patterns. These are usually made of silk, cotton or a blend of both. Thus, giving a contemporary yet traditional touch.
Gadwal Sarees – As the name suggests, these sarees come from the town of Gadwal in Telangana. They are unique in their interlocking weave technique called kuppadam. These sarees traditionally have a cotton body and border or pallu made of silk.
However, modern variations include Gadwal sarees, completely made of silk or a blend of cotton and silk. In these sarees, majority of the work is done on the pallu and the border which makes them vibrant and suitable for festive occasions.
Kerala Kasavu or Settu Saree – Settu sarees reflect the serene elegance of Kerala’s weaving heritage. These sarees have a minimal and sophisticated colouring pattern limited to calm white, off-white and cream base colours with golden borders representing Kerala’s purity and simplicity. These often have minimal designs in silk and cotton-silk blends, making them comfy and breathable. Thus, suitable for wearing on festivals like Onam.
What is special about South Indian sarees?
South Indian sarees are the representation of cultural authenticity and traditional handloom weaving patterns. They are special because of their rich fabric quality, vibrant colours, durability, shine, and a variety of contrasting borders and pallus.
Which silk saree is best in South India?
Kanchipuram sarees are renowned as the finest, yet selecting the perfect silk saree from South India ultimately depends on the occasion you have in mind.
Kanjeevaram or Kanchipuram sarees are ideal for weddings and bridal wear because of their heavy work.
Mysore silk sarees are lightweight, comfortable and elegant, best for office wear and ethnic themed parties.
Gadwal Silk sarees are cotton soft, airy and perfect for strenous events.
Pochampally Silk sarees are artistic with great detailing, ideal for weddings, parties, and festivals.
Settu sarees are suitable for Onam and casual occasions as they give a soft and simple look.
How to identify authentic South Indian sarees?
South Indian sarees are known for their colourful patterns and shine. With a careful eye, you can easily identify whether it is an authentic South Indian Saree or a replica. These signs would help you identify the same:
1. Do the Zari Scratch Test: A Zari scratch test is a traditional method of checking the purity of Zari. It is done by lightly scratching the Zari thread; if it has a reddish silk core, then it is real Zari.
2. Check for the Handloom mark: Usually, authentic South Indian sarees come with a handloom mark, which is issued by the government of India, as well as a silk mark and SI tag. Do check for these certifications
3. Flip the Saree: Reverse the saree and check the other side. Most handloom sarees have minor irregularities; these variations are a mark of authenticity.
4. Identify the Korvai Joint in Kanchipuram Sarees: The Korvai joint is a traditional weaving technique used in kanjeevarm silk sarees. An interlocking pattern is used to weave the body and pallu of the saree together. The border is often contrasting, and the interlocks are visible on the other side of the saree.
5. Take the burn test: To check the authenticity of the saree, take a few saree threads and burn them slowly. If it smells like burning hair and crumbles into soft ash, it is pure. If it melts and smells like plastic, then it is artificial.
