Crop tops are famous for their zari work, fine fabric, and beautiful designs, which is even known for their traditional Banarasi sarees. However, due to increased demand for the above types of saree many cheap copies in the market can be found. If you do not know how to distinguish between original and fake Banarasi sarees, it becomes very easy to fall prey to these conmen and be duped into buying what you believe was a legitimate Banarasi saree when in fact it was fake. Here is the step by step guide regarding how one should go about identifying whether the Banarasi saree that is being sold is genuine or a fake one.
Table of Contents
How to Identify Pure Banarasi Silk Saree
1. Check the Fabric
Original Banarasi sarees do not use synthetic fabric; it is purely made from one of the finest kinds of silk called Katan. The texture of the fabric should be silky to touch, silky like that of butter. This apart, Banarasi sarees are also woven using organza (kora) with zari and silks as well as georgette. By touching it, one feels the kind of texture the fabric has and the feel of it may even make one know that it is fake.
2. Examine the Weave
For instance, there is the body of an actual Banarasi sare, which can be spotted by the way it is weaved. Original Banarasi sarees are made on power looms or even handloom, and therefore, you will find that some of the designs are not uniform all over the saree due to being handmade. Check it properly at the bottom of the saree, at the backside. The key identification features that a genuine Banarasi saree will display are floating threads at the end; they are snipped off to look like small cords.
3. Look for the Zari
Zari plays an important role in Banarasi sarees, which has always comprised pure gold/silver zari . At present, most genuine sarees employ silver nylon, zari covered with gold zari is also common today. To test the zari, lightly rub your finger across it like you’re scratching a record. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between real and fake zari as it is “typically made by wrapping a thin silver thread with a layer of gold and if it is red or dark reddish in colour, that is the real thing. ”
4. Design and Patterns
Designs like flowers and leaves are fairly favorite and Mughal influenced designs like kalga and bel and a string of upright leaves known as jhallar are also seen on Banarasi sarees. The arrangement in a place should be compound and delicate. Banaras itself is a unique textile that has been associated with the Banarasi sarees in their Original form and some of their important characteristics include the following; Butidar, Jangla, Tanchoi and Shikargarh.
5. Weight of the Saree
An original Banarasi saree, therefore, is denser than the replicas that flood the market due to the fabric quality and thework done on the fabric in terms of the zari work. The heaviness tells about the amount of silk as well as the zari used and that is why we accept it.
6. Certification and Labels
Finally, search for any GI (Geographical Indication) trademark or certification to ensure the saree’s originality. The GI tag means that the saree is produced within the geographical region within which it is produced, in this case is Varanasi and is produced with the traditional techniques. In order to avoid scams, reputable merchants and genuine weavers may offer some form of guarantee or authenticity mark.
7. Price Point
Banarasi sarees are costly truly because of the cost of fabrics used and the appropriate workmanship that goes into making the saree. This is a common phrase in business wherein, if a product or service looks like it is being sold considerably less than its actual worth, then chances are high that they are bogus. It is important to remember that the price is never the final pointer, but falling prices always signal scam products.
8. Reputable Sources
So, for the best Banarasi saree, buy from reputed stores, reliable online sellers, or directly from those who weave them. One can be sure to get the original katan kutchwork if he or she visits Varanasi or directly buys from the local markets or the weaver cooperatives.
9. Detailed Inspection
Selvedge: The wider and or deeper the ribbing, the softer the fabric The selvedge (edge of fabric) should be smooth, round, and clean. Therefore, it is essential to know that an original Banarasi sari will have a simple or uniform face as compared to the body of the saree which will be zari-dense or consist of extremely complicated and ornate work.
Pallu and Border: Blending and transitioning from the base of the saree to the pallu and the border should be seamless and they should have equal work and detail as the body of the saree.
Signature: Real Banaras saree also bears the mystic hand imprint of the weaver, which is most often indicated at the end of the pallav.
Conclusion
To identify the genuine Banarasi sari, factors such as the texture of the fabric, the quality of the weave, the metal used in the zari, the workmanship on the design, and directly buying from Banaras are critical consideration. When observing such details, the buyer can make sure that he or she is an owner of an actual Indian art piece and tradition. So always remember that an ‘Original’ Banarasi saree isn’t merely an article of clothing; it’s a legacy, an heirloom, a symbol of centuries of timeless art.
