Introduction
Madurai, a city in the western corner of Tamil Nadu, is not only famous for its rich cultural heritage but also for its fine cotton sarees and handloom weaving industry. The city has been producing some of the finest cotton sarees in India for centuries, and its thread is used for making not only cotton sarees but also other varieties of sarees.
Madurai Cotton: The Finest Thread in India
Madurai cotton is renowned for its fine quality and softness. The city and its vicinity produce some of the finest cotton sarees in India, and the thread produced here is used by tailors and other people for day-to-day stitching of clothes. In the olden days, mercerized cotton sarees were made with a silk border, but today the border is made of polyester or shining cotton. The body of the saree remains the same, made of the same material as before. The cloth is of very light weight and is ideal for summer wear.
Madurai Cotton vs. Bengal Cotton
Madurai cotton is slightly thicker than Bengal cotton but much more superior to Bengal cotton. The border and pallav make it ideal for summer wear, and in cities like Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta, it is wearable round the year since winter does not set in these places. The sarees generally have a contrast border and a pallav with the same work as in the border. Madurai cotton is highly affordable and is used for evening or day wear or for visiting anyone or attending a light evening tea or coffee party in the forenoon.
Madurai: A Hub for Designer Sarees
Madurai is famous for its fine cotton thread produced here used for making cotton sarees and also producing other varieties of sarees. It produces some very beautiful designer sarees of fine glazed cotton with zari border. The city is home to some very big saree shops selling many varieties of sarees, some of which are not available in Delhi and Bombay shops and not even in Tamil Nadu.
Madurai Handloom Industry: A Cultural Heritage
The handloom industry in Madurai is quite old, and the shops are by themselves quite old. Madurai also produces block printed sarees on fine cotton cloth known as Sungudi, though they might not be as famous as the block prints of Rajasthan and Gujarat yet they are very wearable in summer season. They are usually printed on fine cotton cloth and have small motifs on the body of the saree with single or double colour.
Conclusion
Madurai’s handloom industry has inherited a rich cultural heritage from the city, which is 3000 years old. The city is home to some of the finest cotton sarees in India, and its thread is used for making not only cotton sarees but also other varieties of sarees. The industry is a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to preserving traditional crafts and techniques.
