Indian Benarasi Sarees

The famed “Pashmina” of Kashmir received Geographical Indication (GI) rights last year and recently Banarasi saree  silk products joined the league along with Tirupati laddu, Darjeeling Tea and Pochampalli. The other product from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India to receive GI is Malihabadi Dussehri mango. The Banarsi Silk Sari gets its recognition in the name of ‘BanarasBrocades and Sarees’.Banarasi Bunkar Samiti, an organization of banarasi handloom weavers along with eight other organizations is initiating the effort to receive the right to the Banarasi silk product.

GI is a status given to certain products which is related to a specific geographical region or province and entitles certain qualities and privileges due to its geographical origin. The banarasi sari has been facing a lot of competition recently from saris manufactured in cities likeBhagalpur, Surat and Bangalore and the Geographical Indication is expected to cut the duplicates which had tagged off as banarasi.

Banarasi sari is the finest Indian sari. The fine silk, opulent embroidery and silver and gold brocade, makes them highly sought after. The intricate Mughal designs are characteristic feature of these saris, intertwining foliate and floral motifs.
The Banarasi silk saris are an inevitable part of any Indian bride’s trousseau. All Indian women wear the Banarasi sari on important occasions like.The arrival of the Mughal period, around 14th century, introduced the intricate designs using silver and gold threads and the weaving of brocades became the trademark of Banaras.
Ashok Kapoor, founder member of Eastern UP Exporters Association (EUPEA) passionately said “It is a big achievement for the people associated with the Banarasi saree industry. In this era of globalisation, it is essential to get the GI status.”