On 8th of November, India changed. We all changed and not just the economy, something deep down inside us changed. A lot of us have very good things to say about Demonetisation but some of us have our reservations about it. Surely artists who make handmade products were not extremely happy about it. Business suffered and a point was reached when entire markets had to be shut down. Let us look at the case example of the classical Banarasi Saree, which is one of the many gifts that India has given to the world. The designs and artwork on the saree literally jump out and speak to you and for the same reason, women across the world, not just India, pay even a lakh of rupees for one banarasi saree. According to Wikipedia and other research, a banarasi saree is amongst the finest sarees in India and has one of the most detailed designs in the world.
The competition for banarasi sarees was getting tougher over the years due to look-alikes flooding the market and sarees made from Chinese power looms which were similar in design- and much cheaper. But both these types of sarees are low on quality and the finesse of design. Added to that fact is demonetisation which has severely hampered the banarasi saree sale owing to the fact that almost everything from purchasing of the thread, raw material, weaving, payments to the weaver and shipping of the end product is done in cash transactions. Due to this, many banarasi saree markets have seen very slim sales.
As a consumer, being able to differentiate between the real banarasi and a look-alike is vital. Especially in today’s time when a banarasi saree is being donned by many young celebrities and numerous designs and varieties are available in banarasi sarees.
The making of a banarasi saree is an industry involving 1.2 million people either directly or indirectly in the regions of Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaunpur and Azamgarh. Typically, it would take weavers 15 days to even a year to complete a saree- depending on the design. After all, the weaver wants it perfect for the consumer.Although power looms have been installed in different areas but the erratic power supply brings the work back to the weavers who complete and perfect the banarasi. This whole chain of thinking of a design, making the design on paper, preparing the fabric, making the design on the fabric, finishing the saree and transporting it to the relevant shop requires cash flow at each stage and in the recent “turn of events”, one or the other cog of this wheel goes missing.
Most of the design on the saree is actually engraved on the fabric, which itself is the finest quality of silk in India, probably the world. The amount of effort and finishing required can only be imagined. The banarasi saree is a class of its own- you don’t buy a banarasi saree, you possess it. And once you have seen and worn and felt a banarasi, everything else will fade away. It is a true mixture of elegance and style, being trendy and classic at the same time and being simple and stunning in one go. The look of a banarasi has been made popular by many leading ladies of not just our country, but even outside India.
It is a must have for every bride, every girl, every woman- you deserve the elegance and style- to wrap yourself into this piece of art. Most certainly, the market for this masterpiece will pick up again. Something so beautiful cannot go unnoticed and so much passion and love that an artist puts on a saree will definitely reap benefits to him/her.
Hoping to see the banarasi Re-monetised soon!!
