Discover the exceptional drapes of Karnataka — Veena Devagiri, a Dubai resident, sheds light on the enduring legacy of ancient weaving traditions kept alive by artisans
For Dubai resident Veena Devagiri, who hails from Ranebennur in the Haveri district of Karnataka, a saree wins over any other desi attire. That is why she has a collection of more than 200 sarees, including one that dates back eight decades. “Women look graceful when they wear sarees,” says Veena, who takes immense pride in wearing this timeless six-yard drape.
According to her, in Indian culture, wearing a saree is a sign of respect towards elders and upholds family values. “It is believed that wearing a saree brings a sense of dignity and grace to a woman’s personality. It is also considered a symbol of modesty and femininity, and it helps women feel confident and empowered,” she says. Veena loves to wear cotton sarees, especially the ones from Ilkal in the Bagalkot district. “”Ilkal sarees are famous for their colours and borders. My friends admire them, so during Diwali, I gifted 60 Ilkal sarees to them.”
Black is Veena’s favourite colour, and her preference is reflected in her saree collection. “One of the prized possessions in my wardrobe is an 80-year-old saree that belonged to my grandmother. The unique thing about this saree is that if we burn the border and the Pallu, we can extract gold from it,” reveals the Karama resident.
FIVE TOP SAREES FROM KARNATAKA
1) Ilkal Saree: This traditional saree is woven in Ilkal, a city in north Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. About 50 to 60 percent of the people from Ilkal have been weaving traditional handloom sarees since the 8th century. lkal sarees are woven using silk and cotton. The Pallu is woven in silk. The sarees are generally showcased in bright dark colours with hand-embroidered traditional art forms designs like Jari and Kasuti.
2) Dharwad Saree: Dharwad Sarees originated way back in the
7th century in the regions of Dharwad, Karnataka. The name has a Kannada feel, with ‘’Kai’’ meaning hand and ‘’Suti’’ meaning cotton for the Kasuti embroidery.
A much-loved attire for Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is the maroon Dharwad saree, which she proudly wore during the recent Union Budget presentation.
3) Mysore Silk Saree: Mysore Silk sarees came into existence in 1785 AD. The fabric is famous for its silk quality, smooth texture, and rich feel. It is listed among the most expensive silk sarees in the country. Mysore Silk sarees are best suited for weddings and other important occasions because of their grand and luxurious look.
4) Guledagudda Saree: This particular weave, which spans
a hundred years, originated from Guledagudda village in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka. The fabric is often known as Guledgudda Khana (a prominent state blouse and saree fabric). Khana has become extremely popular these days and is used in making shirts, bags, pillow covers, and decorative items for the home.
5) Patteda Anchu Saree: Patteda Anchu saree weavers from Karnataka have kept this ancient weave from the 10th century alive. Named after the pattern (border and checks), this sari was explicitly designed for women who work in fields. It is made of cotton and has a specific colour palette that includes shades like yellow, red, pink, and green. They have become popular among working women as they are perfect to wear to the office.
