Benarasi Saree: The Rise of the Fallen

Background

Benarasi sarees originated in Benaras, a northern city of India, and were predominantly popular during the Mughal regime in the 16^th century. The weavers produced Benarasi sarees from Uttar Pradesh of India in the 1940s. Benarasi sarees, through cultural borrowing, became immensely popular in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) around the 1960s. With the advent of various printing techniques, including tie-and-dye, brush paint, block print, batik, and hand embroidery Benarasi emerged as a new fabric style.  They become more popular due to their cost-effectiveness and variety. In the early 1980s, the Nakshi Katha saree-developed using traditional quilting stitches first on silk and later on cotton fabric- became more prevalent among fashion connoisseurs. Georgettes. Chiffons, lace, and satin took over the market in the 1990s as they were thought to be chicer and wearable.