As the fulcrum of the Peshwa rule, Pune was a place of royalty and grace. Rich and luxurious silk sarees and dhoti were an everyday wear for the royalty of ancient Pune once upon a time.
Now Pune as a city has changed. It has been industrialized and urbanized. The royalty of Pune is long gone, but the city has still not lost its graceful charm. People might not wear silks anymore, but the rich fabrics and textile industry is still a powerhouse in Pune. So if you are looking for traditional Marathi handloom and where to find them in Pune then you are in the right place.
The Paithani saree colored with the tones of precious jewellery and stones is one of the most significant fabric of Maharashtra. The deep rich green variety of this saree is considered sacred and auspicious in Marathi culture with brides wearing it on their special day. Though the center of this saree is based in Paithan, Kasat Sarees in Pune has a vast collection of Paithani sarees. The most popular designs for a Paithani saree are peacocks or small birds, lotus flowers, and other flower arrangements.
A lesser known fabric Ganga-Jamuni is a type of saree which is predominantly unique to Pune. The saree has a plain body with not much designs and comes in solid colors. The unique part of the saree though is its borders. The saree has different colored borders on both sides. It also has different colors on the two sides of the saree so that one can wear it either ways. This variety of saree you will find in Karagiri, a textile emporium in Pune.
Himroo is another type of traditional Maharashtrian fabric that is available both in silk and cotton varieties. The saree is more popular in pastel colors and shares resemblance with Banarasi brocade. The designs on the saree are mostly floral patterns which run through out the saree, from body to the pallu. Gore Ani Mandali is the place where you will find a fine variety of this saree in Pune.
From the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji's era, a few weavers moved to the settlements of Narayan Peth. It is from these weavers that the tradition of Narayan Pethi silk started. The body of the saree is plain often, because the border and the pallu is where the most intricate work is done for this type of saree. The border is wide and is woven with gold threads which makes for a great contrast with the color of the body. To buy this saree you have to go to Peshwai Creations located in Sadashiv Peth.
Maharashtrian fabrics and textile carry with them a rich history of the various rules and empires in the region. They also carry the stories of the various weavers' community and their migration and hard-work. So drape yourself in the silks and the cottons of history by wearing a traditional Marathi fabric.
To read more about Marathi fashion and sarees click here.
