Jamdani sarees, as light as a feather and derived from a unique combination of Mughal patronage and old Hindu traditions, are one of the most delicate and most ancient styles of weaving that originated in Bengal. These sarees are distinguished by buy Jamdani sarees meticulously created designs that appear to float on the surface of an almost transparent, ultra-fine fabric, lending them a mystical aura.
Weaving process: If you’re looking to buy Jamdani sarees, it’s best to know how they’re woven. The brocade loom is used to weave Jamdani sarees. This is a weaving technique that uses a non-structural weft and the regular weft that keeps the warp threads together to create aesthetic designs. The basic weft produces a fine, sheer fabric, while the supplementary weft, made composed of heavier threads, adds elaborate patterns to it.
Each supplemental weft motif is inserted by hand by interlacing the weft threads into the warp with fine bamboo sticks and individual thread spools. As a result, a plethora of bright designs appear to float on a shimmering surface. The pattern is not sketched or delineated on the fabric, which makes this weaving process unique.
Instead, it is drawn on graph paper and taped to the warp. Jamdani weaving is a highly-skilled, arduous, and time-consuming procedure, with a saree taking anything from a month to a year to finish. The term ‘jamdani’ is thought to be of Persian origin, deriving from the words ‘Jam’ (meaning flower) and ‘Dani’ (meaning vase).
While there is some mention of this term in the literature from the 3rd century BC (in Kautilya’s ‘Arthasharshtra’) and during the Gupta period (4th–6th century AD), it is during the Mughal rule (16th-18th centuries) that the weavers of Dhaka (in present-day Bangladesh) who had been weaving this fabric for centuries, received extensive royal patronage.
Jamdani sarees are classified according to the sort of pattern or the place in which they are manufactured. Panna Hajar (thousand emeralds), Kalka (paisley), butidar (tiny flowers), fulwar (flowers arranged in straight rows), tersa (diagonal patterns), jalar (themes equally covering the entire saree), duria (polka dots), and charkona are among the most popular motifs (rectangular motifs).
If you want to buy Jamdani sarees, consider regional variations such as:
Dhakai Jamdani (Bangladesh) – These are the original and finest jamdani sarees, with the most intricate craftsmanship. A saree of this type could take anywhere from 9 months to a year to weave.
Tangail Jamdani (Bangladesh) – Tangail Jamdani (Bangladesh) These jamdani sarees, woven in the Tangail area, have customary large borders with lotus, lamp, and fish scale designs.
Shantipur Jamdani (India) – These jamdani sarees are woven at Shantipur, West Bengal, and are similar to Tangail jamdanis. They have a silky texture and are frequently embellished with attractive striped designs.
Dhaniakhali Jamdani (India) – These jamdani sarees originated in Dhaniakhali, West Bengal, have a tighter weave than the Tangail and Shantipur variants. They are distinguished by their use of bright colors and dark tones.
Dhaka’s earliest jamdani sarees were made entirely of cotton. The finer the weave, the softer, lighter, and more expensive the resulting cotton cloth. Modern jamdanis are also woven in a cotton-silk mixture and sometimes in pure silk. To create contemporary designs, more brilliant colors, such as gold and silver yarns, are used. These sarees have a glossier finish and are worn by women all over India to make a fashion statement in traditional jamdani attire.
