Silk Weaves :

The Amru silk brocadesof Varanasi are very famous. The amru saris are the Butidar ones enclosed by a border and a heavy pallu of flowering bushes or the curving mango pattern.

              The Baluchar method of weaving brocades with untwisted silk thread was developed in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. It is based upon the diminutive paintings of India. The specialty of the Baluchar saris is the large Pallu with a central pattern of flowing Kalgas, the mango design enclosed by repetitive frames of miniatures.

             Gujarat is an important brocade center with a class of its own. Extra filling brocade developed in Gujarat only. Silk weaving continues in Ridrol in Mehsana District and Jamnagar in Saurashtra in Gujarat . Materials for Ghagras, skirts, saris, ordhnis, cholis and many items for religious purposes are also woven here. Small Torans to be hung outside the family temples are also made.

             South India has a different style in silk saris. Heavy radiant silk with wide-ranging borders and elaborate pallus are made here. Complementary colors are used to produce a pleasant-sounding blend of colors. Traditionally the pattern is a part of the woven fabric and not an extra weft. The checks and strips are woven into the warp and weft. Kancheepuram,Tanjore and Kumbakonam are the important silk centers in Tamilnadu. Sangareddy in Andhra, Kolegal and Molkalmoru in Karnataka are also famous silk weaving centers. Tanjore is specialized in weaving the all -over gold saris used for weddings and temple uses. Molkalmoru has its own distinct tradition of simple ikat weave combined with a rich gold border.