Banarasi Paithani Soft Silk Saree

A Banarasi soft silk saree cut with a Paithani-style contrast border — the body in one colour, the border and pallu in another, so the drape has a clear edge rather than fading into itself. The pallu is the piece worth looking at: dense paisley and floral zari worked across the full width, with a run of small motifs above it.

Across the body, small floral buttis are spaced evenly in zari, close enough to catch light as you move and far enough apart that the saree still reads calm. Each piece comes with a contrast blouse piece woven to match the border.

What you are buying

• Banarasi soft silk saree, approximately 5.5 metres, with contrast blouse piece
• Allover floral zari buttis on the body
• Rich pallu in paisley and floral zari with a tasselled finish
• Wide contrast border along both edges
• Soft finish — drapes and pleats without stiffness
• Ten colourways

A note on the name

This is sold in the trade as a Banarasi Paithani, and that is a useful shorthand, but it is worth knowing what it means. The weave and the motifs here are Banarasi — the paisley pallu is a Banaras signature. What is borrowed from Paithani is the contrast border, the body in one colour and the border in another. It is not a Paithani in the strict sense: there is no tapestry-woven peacock pallu. We would rather you know that than find out later.

Honestly about provenance

Handwoven and curated by us. It does not come from our own Kolkata embroidery workshop. What we stand behind is the choosing — ten colourways where the contrast border genuinely lifts the body instead of shouting over it.

Care

Dry clean only. Store folded in cotton, and refold along a different line every few months so the zari does not crease into one permanent fold.