Kanjivaram Silk

Kanjivaram (Kanchipuram) silk is a GI-tagged handloom weave from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, woven by the Devanga and Saligar weaving communities. Its defining feature is korvai construction: body, border and pallu are woven from separately dyed silk and interlocked by hand, so a contrast border is structurally part of the saree and cannot be pulled away. The silk is a heavy three-ply mulberry yarn, which is why a Kanjivaram drapes with weight and holds pleats sharply. Traditional motifs come from temple architecture -- yaali, rudraksham, mayil chakram, gopuram borders and checks. To verify authenticity, look for the Silk Mark tag, check that the zari has a reddish silk core when a thread is unravelled and burnt, and confirm the korvai join is visible on the reverse. A handwoven six-yard Kanjivaram typically takes ten to twenty-five days on the loom depending on the design.