Chanderi Sarees: History, Types, and Styling Tips You'll Love

History of Chanderi Saree

The chanderi saree tradition is said to have begun around the 13th century. Although old tales say that it was started by Shishupal, who was Lord Krishna’s cousin.However it is historically confirmed that it reached its peak of business during the Mughal period. The name of the fabric comes from a small town named ‘Chanderi’ in Madhya Pradesh.

In the beginning, the fabric was mostly weaved by Muslim weavers. In 1350, the Koshti weavers moved from Jhansi to the small town of Chanderi, hence the name. The Mughals established a ‘karkhana’ for the chanderi fabric there, which helped the town of Chanderi to become a hub of Chanderi textile. The Mughal period was the golden era of Chanderi weaving.

The royal Schindia family started to patronize the fabric again in the 1910s which led to its revival. It was during this period when gold embroidery was added to the sarees, giving it a classy and modern look.

Different Types of Chanderi Sarees

Chanderi sarees are also very long, about five and a half metres in length.There are many types of chanderi sarees.

Asavali

These are cotton and gold sarees, made famous during the Mughal era. Delicate gold ornaments are woven into the border and pallu of the saree. The colour is usually light and pastel.

Patal

This is a type of bridal saree and it is 54 widths in size, which means its trails on the ground behind the bride and also provides a veil or a ghunghat for the face of the bride.

Golpatti

A golpatti is a special kind of chanderi saree with a very narrow border

Kathan

This saree is extremely different from the other ones since the material used is a highly twisted silk yarn instead of the normally used twisted silk yarn. This gives the saree some amount of fluffiness.

Designs of Chanderi Sarees

Chanderi sarees provide a very fine and luxurious look. The material is sheer and translucent. The motifs on these sarees showcase a strong relation to temple art, such as peacocks, lotuses, coins, celestial figures, geometric patterns, animals, etc.

The saree has basically three types of fabric: cotton, silk and cotton silk. Pure chanderi silk sarees give a luxurious and classy look, while cotton chanderi sarees are easy to wear and carry and provide a lot of comfort.

Blouse Designs for Chanderi Sarees

Blouse designs mainly depend on your own needs and wants. If you want to wear the saree to a function or traditional event, a blouse with a deep neckline and a stylish back would be perfect. Make the blouse of a colour which is of contrast to the saree colour for a more edgy and stylish look. You can get heavy embroidery done on the blouse as well, along with hangings to make it perfect for big celebratory events. On the other hand, you can go for a simple plain blouse with a plain back for a more casual look. There are also many sleeve options like sleeveless, full sleeves, elbow length, shoulder length, etc.

Styling Tips

Chanderi sarees descend from nobility. Hence it is only obvious that they provide a very classy and royal look. Their timeless chic and beauty make them a favourite of even Bollywood celebrities. If your saree has very heavy embroidery, try not to make the jewellery too overpowering. You can just go for a simple pearl set or a filigree gold necklace for a clean and elegant look. You can also match the saree with gold bangles, necklaces and earrings since they best showcase the beauty of the chanderi. Keep the footwear simple. A simple sandal with a little heel is best. Now that you have gotten all these tips, go ahead and style your own chanderi in your unique way!