Paithani Silk and Himroo Fabrics at Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Another unknown weaver! He weaves his soul into Paithani sarees and shawls little by little, only to disappear for ever unnamed. He will be forgotten but he will leave behind the dream saree of a bride or a shawl to keep you warm.
So engrossed is he in his work that not once does he look up to see the crowd around him. Focusing just on the design drawn on the tracing paper by his side, he chooses the golden and silk threads to be woven. It will take one whole day for him to make just one inch of the fabric.
This was the scene at the heritage textile factory run by the Quereshis in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Paithani silk weaver
Paithani Saree: History
This handloom textile originated in Paithan town 51.5km from Aurangabad, thus got its name – Paithani. Initially the raw materials used for making Paithani sarees were silk and cotton, transverse weft of the weave was silk. Later it evolved to just using very fine pure silk and gold zari. There is no trace of cotton.
Also earlier silk was sourced from China but now they get most of their raw material, the silk, from Bangalore.
Yet another silk named after place of origin is Baluchari in West Bengal.
If heritage textiles interest you, do read:
Baluchari Silk Weavers, Bishnupur, West Bengal.
Paithani Silk and Himroo Fabrics Factory
We could visit a Paithani Silk and Himroo Fabric factory run by the Quereshi family. They are putting in a lot of effort to preserve this precious art of making these heritage textiles. They have been promoting and preserving this art for the last 100 years.
Cost of Paithani sarees can be anywhere between Rs.5000 to Rs.50,000, some even more depending on the design. Add to that they have to pay the weavers well they explained. Therefore the price goes up.
And when the saree becomes old you can sell it off for the gold and silver in it, so it is a good investment, they went on. Such priceless art pieces, can they be really rated?
All Paithani sarees there were tempting… beautiful combination of rich colors and traditional designs, one can only regret for not buying them.
Features of a Genuine Paithani Saree
- A typical Paithani Saree has border of oblique square design.
- The pallu, part of the saree that you throw over the shoulder, has peacock design.
- Reverse side of pallu of Paithani saree will look exactly same as the top side.
- Fake Paithani saree has a web of threads on the reverse side.
- Two types of border are the Narali and the Pankhi.
Paithani Silk and Himroo Fabrics
Munia Brocade
Munia means parrot. Parrots are woven on the pallu as well as in border. See the above saree. Parrots are always in leaf green color. The parrots in silk are also called tota-maina.
Other Paithani Fabrics
We also had a look at their designer stuffs. Paithani scarves and Paithani Shawls are easier on the pocket cost wise. I picked some of these for my collection of heritage textiles. The colors are soft and designs elegant. Makes a good gift too for your loved ones.
Himroo Fabrics: History
Himroo is woven with silk and cotton. Word himroo, which is believed to have originated from Persian word Hum-ruh, means ‘similar’. It is a less costlier version of Kinkhwab, woven in pure gold and silver threads meant for royal family members.
I felt the texture soft and smooth and easily cling to your body.
Himroo Shawls
Himroo shawls are made of silk and cotton, and also from silk and wool. The shawls I picked are warm yet doesn’t make you feel stuffy.
Proud that our country has such classy hand woven fabrics that no machine woven fabric can match.
This Himroo Industry is worth the visit if you can spare an hour or two after your visits to the caves in Aurangabad. It is open 7.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on all the days. I am glad I could fit this into our itinerary of 5 days tour of Aurangabad.
Do read: 5 Days Itinerary for Aurangabad Maharashtra
Location Himroo Factory
Paithani Weaving and Training Center,
Jaffer Gate, Mondha Road, Aurangabad Maharashtra.
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(This post was first published on Feb 1st 2008.)
Ah , These Paithani silk and Himroo Fabrics are looking Beautiful. . You have a Nice and Safe Day. . . 🙂
This is amazing! This is litterally art! The saris are so beautiful and I’ve always admired this kind of craftmanship. There is somethign so subtil and so fabulous about their art and we should definitely more appreciate it! It definitely worth the splurge!
There shawls and saris are beautiful, we should appreciate all the skill that goes into weaving this!! Definitely worth investing in these if you’re a saree person.
Wow, they are so beautiful! They reminded me of a silk vintage saree that I have!
Thank you for the contacts, I will surely visit them during my next trip to India!
I love those shawls. It is very that you get a glimpse of such wonderful ones. I suppose if they look this pretty here then they must look much better in reality.
i love to see people (women) wear the saree, i actually loved seeing my mum wear them when she was still alive and i also had to see alot of it on the TV series, THE VOW, SALONI and a few other INDIAN series. its Native and stands the class of time.
OMG these sarees are so beautiful and a should be treasured. To think the hardwork and time the weaver spent just to create a saree. I would be so blessed and thankful to have one of these. A perfect gift and heirloom!
Such beautifully crafted saris and shawls. It is incredible how much of hard work goes into these products.I always get carried away in places like this and end up buying too much.
These are absolutely must haves; the sarees the shawls, so beautiful! 😀
Nice coverage of this timeless piece of clothing. The sarees are coveted by many and passed on from generation to generation.
what art and craft, amazing
The sarees indeed look beautiful. I am sure the shawls you bought would be super too!
Lovely…these are indeed priceless.
Such a detailed work of art
Wow! The sarees look amazing. Such a dedicated person. Thanks for sharing his story.
Well said. There’s no match for labour of love done by these weavers. Beautiful weaves!
My mom has a deep inclination towards these! 🙂
The shawls look so amazing Indrani 🙂
Here in Assam, we have the famous muga, eri and pat silkworms which have led to the blooming of many beautiful silk sarees. The story of that old man is heart touching. Well written
I remember my mother used to wear these shawls and series.
Would like to buy. What should I do?
May be you can visit Quereshis of Aurangabad.
Thank you, Helmi Maria.
Thank you so much, Indrani for your kind comment that you left on my site.
Your pictures of these georgeous paithani saris brought happy memories of years spent in Calcutta (my daughter was born there in 83)right back to me on this afternoon in Niamey.
It is indeed wonderful to live in a country that has so much culture as India.
Though I enjoy Niger’s wildlife immensely my next posting simply will have to be India again
Thanks Bijita!
Hey Namrata you own one?! I will be ringing your doorbell sooooon to have a glimpse of your treasure!
Indrani.
You should have got at least one paithani sari !!! believe me its too good whether its 5000 or 50000. every maharashtrian bride usually tries to own at least one paithani in her life time. now adays semi paithanis are available which are a mixture of natural and synthetic materials and hence cheaper, around 2000-3000. on a personal note you are most welcome to see my treasure, what else to call a paithani ?
namrata
Amazing!! if a mere picture is so gorgeous, I can well imagine what the original is like, would love to own one someday. Thanks Indrani, for sharing the info of these priceless treasures!