The Fashion Design Council of India curated a show at the 36th International Surajkund Crafts Mela 2023, in association with Haryana Tourism. Titled Benaras - A tribute to the Senses, it paid homage to the rustling silks of Benaras, which have withstood the test of time and tide.
Bringing alive the glory of the ghats, the serenity of the river Ganga and the magnificent ode to the calm it imbues, eight designers showcased their interpretation of this holy city which has been a potent leitmotif. Abhishek Gupta, Amita Gupta Sustainable, Asha Gautam, Hemang Agrawal, Pawan Sachdeva, Shruti Sancheti, Suket Dhir and Tanmaya and Manish, presented six ensembles each. The backdrop transported the onlooker to the magical ethos of the city, replete with intriguing myths and mythology.

Shri MD Sinha, IFS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt of Haryana and Vice Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority said, “The city of Varanasi is a microcosm of all that defines India. Despite being witness to ancient civilisations come and go over centuries, Kashi is still alive, unabashedly colourful, and wonderfully rich in history and legends. Through our fashion show, we have showcased the vibrancy and the innate love for life of its inhabitants, during the Surajkund International Crafts Mela."

Shri MD Sinha, IFS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt of Haryana and Vice Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority said, “The city of Varanasi is a microcosm of all that defines India. Despite being witness to ancient civilisations come and go over centuries, Kashi is still alive, unabashedly colourful, and wonderfully rich in history and legends. Through our fashion show, we have showcased the vibrancy and the innate love for life of its inhabitants, during the Surajkund International Crafts Mela."

Although the lehenga-cholis has been a recent favourite among the young and modern brides, Banarasi saree still holds its place as the wedding attire for the demure bride. Even I had the thought of wearing something ‘different’ in my wedding. I had thought of getting different silk for my wedding day. But somehow, I could not ignore the elegance of the Banarasi silk fabric and ended up choosing a Banarasi Saree for my wedding attire! That saree is still my prized possession and so is the saree that my mother got married in. Yes, that one is even dearer.

That was enough of my wedding and saree stories. I write this post to introduce you to the world of Banarasi Silk, the stunning ethnic wear that is loved by a lot of Indian women. The last time we were in Varanasi, we had visited the quarters of the silk weavers in Varanasi.

There we got a glimpse of how the Banarasi silk is made, how the intricate designs are made and a little about the origin and history of the Banarasi silk. We also saw how the painstakingly the motifs and designs are made on the fabric by the artists (yes, I would call them artists!) and how this centuries of tradition is now on the verge of dying.

The history of Banarasi silk actually made me delve deeper into its origin and I was clearly fascinated. As Mark Twain had rightly told that Varanasi is older than history, I found the stories of fabrics from Kasi (old name for Varanasi) going back to centuries. Not only Banaras silk, but cotton from Banaras was also famous worldwide.

So, in this post, I am going to tell you a little about the fascinating journey of Banaras silk from the past to the present and my love for the Banarasi Saree.