Kerala Handloom Kasaragod Saree – Six Yards Of Uniqueness

Saree lovers have always been amazed by the beauty of traditional Kerala Sarees. But what you need to know is that these unique Kerala sarees and mundus with a kasavu (gold zari) border have their regional variants too. And the one such wave that is celebrated for its simple patterns, colours and durability is Kasaragod Saree. Kasargod lies in the northern part of Kerala. The traditional Hand-loom Kasargode sarees manufactured in this region are known for its ‘quality’, ‘colour pattern on borders’, ‘durability’ and ‘traditional designs’. Long years ago it was specially woven by the Shalia community of people who are said to be settled here in this part of Kerala for weaving in particular for the ruler who had ruled the region then. It is said that before there were about 500 families of weavers were the weaving was done at their homes. Contrary to the popular image of the Kerala saree being natural cotton and decorated with kasavu, the main body of Kasaragod saree has a checked pattern from using dyed yarns and the borders are hand made using Jacquard or dobby techniques that make them very attractive. Traditionally Kasaragod sarees are made with high thread count in the range of 60 to 100 and uses vat dye technique which makes them long lasting. The recent versions also come in silk blend.

Unshrinking Texture : Known for its unshrinking texture and fast colours, this eco-friendly product uses only traditional colours and is perhaps best known for its designer borders. And the fact that it continues to maintain high quality is a testament to the intimate knowledge and skill that go into its manufacture.

A Saree with a GI Tag: Kasaragod sarees is registered and recognized under Geographical indication tag (GI tag), under the geographical indication Act- 1999 to give importance to their uniqueness in Indian handloom sector.

Made by Hand: Even today, the traditional weavers and craftsmen of Kasaragod follow the time-honored steps of making the saree by hand. To maximize absorbability, cotton yarn is immersed in soap oil for around an hour, then boiled with water and soda ash for a day before it is, finally, washed and dried.

Cotton Saree for Daily Use: Most of the varieties of Kasaragod sarees are inexpensive and very comfortable for daily wear. They are also preferred for their durability and uniquely pleasing designs.

Unique Colour Combinations: It’s unique colour combinations is the key specialty of the Kasaragod saree. The dyes used and the traditional techniques followed is what gives the Kasaragod sarees its famous luster and colour fastness.