Paithani Sari
20th century CE
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Mumbai, India
Paithani saris are hand woven from very fine silt thred. The unique speciality of the paithani is its birder and pallu that are generally in contrast witht he sari's butidar or plain ground. the jari based pallu has pattern woven in silk. a special dhoop-chav (light and shade) effect is achieved by bringing two different coloured threads together during the process of weaving.
The designs show the influence of the Ajanta frescoes (5th century CE) situated near Aurangabad. Motifs like the padma (lotus), hamsa (swan), ashrafi (coins), asavali (flowering vnes), bangadimor (peacock in a bangle), popat (parrot), narali motif (cocunut), humaparinda (imaginative bird) are commonly woven in paithani saris.
This paithani sari is known as akroti or zipruti. It has a pallu with akroti (wall-nut) pattern and the borders are in narali (coconut) pattern. The ground of the sari has buttis of three leaves
- Title: Paithani Sari
- Date Created: 20th century CE
- Location: India
- Provenance: Gift of Anita Garware
- Type: Sari
- Medium: Silk
- Region: Paithan, Maharashtra
- History of Style of Technique: Hassel-free days of childhood end quickly and the spring of life commences with youth. As spring brings colour and fragrance the youth also experiences different emotions in life. This is also a stage when a person enters the world of a householder. Marriage initiates the life of a householder. Textiles associated with this new phase of life gain importance. Every religion, region and community has its own textiles associated with marriage ceremonies. Generally the bride wears either a red or yellow costume as red symbolizes hope and a new beginning and yellow symbolizes happiness as well as knowledge. On leaving her maiden world behind, along with sweet memories the bride takes with her heirloom textiles wrapped with blessings and love of her parents and dear ones. Thus traditional textiles are passed on from generation to generation as a symbol of love and care.
- Accession Number: 2014.2
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