Bengal is known for its gorgeous textiles—from the lightweight Tangail and Dhaniakhali cotton to intricate jamdanis, Kantha, Baluchari and Murshidabad silks. For centuries, the craft of textiles has been an integral part of West Bengal's rich cultural heritage. The intricate patterns and vibrant colours of the region's textiles are a testament to the skill and artistry of its weavers. People travelling to Kolkata always make it a point to pick up gorgeous Bengal saris. If you're looking for a truly immersive travel experience, consider exploring some of the textile towns and villages scattered throughout the region. Here, you can witness firsthand the traditional techniques and weaving methods that have been passed down through generations of skilled craftspeople.
The historic district of Murshidabad is famous for many fascinating things, one of them being the exquisite Murshidabad silk. The history of silk production in this region dates back to the 13th century when it started in the regions of Murshidabad, Malda, and Rajshahi. Over time, European merchants established trading centres in Murshidabad to export silk and silk products to Europe, which led to the increasing popularity of this wonderful fabric. Murshidabad silk is made from the silk produced by mulberry silkworms (Bombyx mori) raised on mulberry trees, which is known for its premium quality. This silk is known for its fine texture, lightweight, and easy draping, making it one of the most sought-after fabrics in the world. Whether you're looking for a luxurious saree or a stylish scarf, Murshidabad silk is sure to make you stand out with its unique texture and quality.
This village in Dhaniakhali CD Block in Chinsurah subdivision of Hooghly district is famous for the Dhaniakhali sari, which was granted a Geographical Indicator (GI) tag in 2011. The sari has a loyal fan base, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has often been photographed wearing a simple white Dhaniakhali during public appearances. The handloom hub in Dhaniakhali has been around since 1938. Several cooperatives supervise the small-scale taant industry in the area, providing yarn to weavers, giving designs, paying their costs, and managing sales and marketing. Dhaniakhali saris are made on dobby looms with small, geometric, textured, and often repeated woven-in designs. As a result, the saris have finely detailed graphic designs, such as the fish motif, which is very graphic and does not have curves.
The town of Santipur, located beside the Ganges River in Nadia district, is famous for its exquisite textiles, which are produced by skilled weavers who migrated from Dhaka to West Bengal. With the encouragement and support of the government, these talented weavers have revived their ancestral occupation, and their exquisite weaving flourishes again today. You can find finely woven feather-touch textiles and saris in exotic designs and colours in the vast weaving belt of Shantipur and Phulia. Each centre produces superb fabrics in its unique weaving style. Phulia specialises in a combination of Jacquard and Jamdani work based on the Tangail sari, while Santipur is known for superfine dhotis and jacquards. Explore the rich weaving culture of Santipur and take home a piece of its unique heritage.
Tangail weaving originates from the Tangail district of present-day Bangladesh. Initially known as "Begum Bahar," it was woven with silk warp and cotton weft. Later, the use of both cotton warp and weft became popular. The Basak community of weavers, who originally lived in the Tangail district, migrated to areas such as Katwa, Dhatrigram, Tamaghata, and Samudragarh in the Burdwan district before the country's Partition. In recent times, silk Tangail sarees have become popular again. Weaving extra weft for Tangail sarees is similar to the technique used for Jamdani, but with a difference: after each extra weft, two plain picks are inserted instead of a single pick, which is used to create a figured design.
The art of weaving Baluchari originated from Baluchar, a village located in Murshidabad, West Bengal. It was patronised by the Nawab of Burdwan. However, due to some natural calamities, the weaving set-up was shifted to Bishnupur. The industry grew tremendously during the British rule. The designs on the saree mainly depict scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. They were once worn as a symbol of aristocracy and status.
