The sarees from Kerala have not been able to become popular in north India because of their simple character and lack of publicity. The elegant saree of white colour with gold border is unique because of its natural colour texture and gold border. This saree lends an extraordinary elegance to the person who wears it. Every woman from Malayalam possesses at least one such saree.
Traditionally women in Kerala also wear a two- piece cloth named Munda which has natural body colour and breath-taking border shades which after wearing look exactly like a saree.
The traditional Kerala saree is hand-woven and is 100% unbleached cotton. The cotton is known for its fineness count in its weaving. The traditional design of a Kerala saree has a one inch to six-seven inch pallav while the border remained plain.
But things have changed now. In modern days to compete with sarees of other states the saree has a border and pallav which goes up to one metre or so. The border and pallav have natural things like animal, peacock or flower designs woven on them. The saree is also available in cheques and strips and a wide variety of other designs as well as in other varieties of fabric such as silk and cotton mixed cloth.
Kerala is also famous for making unbleached cotton handloom cloth commonly known as Kora cloth. This is exported and occupies a proud place in the garment industry.
Balarampuram in Tiruvanthapuram district the capital of Kerala is a most historically important place for handloom fabric specially the traditional wear. It follows a 150 year-old tradition. It was during the reign of Maharaja Balaram Varma which dates back to year 1798 to 1810 that handloom weaving was first introduced at Balarampuram.
The weavers originally belong to a community who migrated from Nagarcoil and Tirunandi in Tamil Nadu. They used to produce superfine cloth for the royal family. The tradition spread from them to local weavers. The weavers use original-type throw-shuttle pitlooms for the production of exclusive cotton sarees with pure zari.
Named after the village of its origin handloom in north Parabal, Ernakulam district is famous for its fine weaving and special effects in pure cotton and silk sarees.
Kathampallisarees from north of Kerala are masterpieces made of high quality yarn using traditional and modern method. Kathampalli sarees are famous for design, quality, varied colour combination and ornamental zari work and border.
The weaving is done in unique style giving care to the thread and applying a special kind of paste to make the saree strong and long lasting. District Tressor is also known for its handloom fabric. Here a community of Devangas who immigrated from Karnataka are engaged in weaving the Kasavir sarees which are being produced here generally with half-fine zari and so prices are more economical.
Kathampalli sarees are preferred by the middle class people because of comparative low prices. The sarees from Kerala are used by the women in metros for dinner parties the ones with zari work. They are not used for wedding and engagement parties as they are not so glamorous.
The ones with simple border and pallav are used as casual wear. For lack of proper publicity it has not been able to capture the market for good varieties with zari work. They are available in metros in the Government emporiums. The cotton sarees are ideal for summer wear and can compete with sarees made in any other state.
The sarees with zari are a bit expensive but ordinary sarees with cotton border and pallav are highly affordable and are within the reach of a middle class person.
