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Kanchivaram Sari
Late 19th century CE
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Mumbai, India
The journey of life begins from conception. Garbhadhan or conception is one of the important samskaras (sacraments) in Hindu religion. The seventh month of pregnancy also forms an important ritual when the expentant mother is pampered by gifts and etables of her choice. In many communities she is gifted a green sari. Green is the colour of fertility, the colour of spring and thus of renewal and rebirth.
The Kanchipuram sari received its name from the old temple town of the same name in Tamil Nadu. The ground of this sari has checkered pattern in gold. It has a characteristic broad border and heavily brocaded pallu with floral creepers, elephants and peacocks.
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Details
- Title: Kanchivaram Sari
- Date Created: Late 19th century CE
- Location: India
- Provenance: Gift of Bansi Mehta in memory of his late wife Sushila Asher’s collection.
- Type: Sari
- Medium: Silk
- Region: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
- History of Style of Technique: The birth of a child brings great joy as it ensures the growth of the family tree. His arrival in civilised society is marked with a gift of a soft mulmul zabla. According to Indian tradition, it is considered inauspicious to buy any new clothes for the new born. In fact at first the baby is made to wear old clothes of a child from the family. The used clothing is soft for the tender baby skin and it is believed that through these clothes the positive family vibes and values would pass onto the baby. The arrival of a baby is remembered by its tiny clothes; a marriage ceremony by the carefully wrapped up wedding attire; parents are remembered through the garments they pass on to their children. This is perhaps one of the reasons why we treasure heirlooms. The tiny dresses worn by our children hold sweet memories. Treasured more than any expensive garment, they are a strong symbol of love. Earlier, they were stitched and embellished by mothers, aunts, and grandmothers for the child but today the trend of such home-stitched garments is on the decline, being replaced by the variety of readymade clothing available in the market.
- Accession Number: 97.12/11
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