Jamdani saree is a type of traditional handwoven textile known worldwide for its exquisite patterns and fine craftsmanship. This saree has a rich history. Jamdani Saree: The Name of Tradition and Pride of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India also. Here is some information about where Jamdani is made, how it is made and why sarees are so popular. UNESCO recognized Jamdani as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh in 2016 due to its traditional design and weaving.
Where are Jamdani sarees made?
Bangladesh: The Jamdani saree
has its roots in Bangladesh, especially in the Dhaka region. Dhaka has been the
center of jamdani production for many centuries.
India: They are produced in
parts of West Bengal in India, especially in places like Shantipur, Phuliya and
Murshidabad. The weaving tradition of West Bengal has strong links with
Bangladesh.
How is it made?
Handwoven: Jamdani sarees are
completely handwoven which is one of the reasons for their uniqueness and high
value. The weaving process involves a laborious process of interweaving cotton
or silk threads on a loom.
Pattern Making: The most
distinctive feature of the Jamdani saree is the intricate pattern created by
adding extra weft threads or yarn. These extra threads are woven into the
fabric by hand and skilled artisans create intricate designs including floral
motifs, geometric patterns and more.
Material: Traditionally, Jamdani sarees are made from cotton, but you can also find them in silk varieties which are more luxurious.
Why Jamdani saree is popular:
Artisan Craftsmanship: Jamdani
sarees are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship. Skilled weavers spend
considerable time and effort creating these intricate patterns, making each
saree a work of art.
Elegance: The light weight and sheer nature of the fabric makes Jamdani sarees elegant and comfortable to wear. They are often chosen for special occasions and festivals.
Cultural Significance: These
sarees have a strong cultural and historical significance in both Bangladesh
and West Bengal. They are often worn during traditional ceremonies, weddings
and cultural events.
Demand of Fashion Designers: Jamdani saree has gained popularity in world fashion. Many renowned fashion designers have added Jamdani fabric to their collections, giving it international recognition.
Importance of Jamdani saree as tradition and contribution to rural economy
Jamdani sarees hold significant importance as a cultural and traditional item not only for their artistic value but also for their contribution to the rural economy. Here's a closer look at their role in preserving heritage and boosting the rural economy:
Importance of cultural and heritage:
Traditional Crafts: Jamdani
weaving is a traditional art form that has been passed down from generation to
generation. It reflects the rich cultural heritage of regions like Bangladesh
and West Bengal.
Historical Significance: The
Jamdani saree has a historical association with the Mughal period in the Indian
subcontinent. They were highly valued and worn by royalty and nobility, adding
to their cultural significance.
Artistic expression: These sarees are a form of artistic expression, with intricate patterns and motifs that often carry cultural and symbolic meaning. They serve as a canvas for the creativity of skilled artisans.
Contribution to Rural Economy:
Employment Opportunities:
Jamdani weaving provides livelihood to many artisans and weavers in rural
areas. It is a labor-intensive craft, and entire families are often involved in
the production process, from spinning the yarn to weaving the cloth.
Economic sustainability: Jamdani
saree production contributes to the economic sustainability of the village. It
can be a source of income for families in areas where alternative employment
opportunities may be limited.
Preservation of traditional
skills: The demand for Jamdani sarees helps preserve traditional weaving
skills, ensuring that the knowledge and skills are passed down to the younger
generation.
Market Opportunities: The
popularity of Jamdani sarees in the domestic and international markets creates
opportunities for artisans to earn a fair income from their craft.
Cultural tourism: The Jamdani
weaving cluster often attracts tourists keen to experience the region's rich
cultural heritage. Tourists visit these areas to see the weaving process,
purchase authentic Jamdani products and learn about the history of the craft.
Handicraft workshops and exhibitions: Many villages and towns where Jamdani sarees are made organize handicraft workshops and exhibitions, which provide additional income.
Ways to identify genuine fakes of Jamdani
Due to its aesthetic design and
high price, Jamdani is associated with elegance and sophistication - these two
words. But there are allegations that fake sarees are being sold in different
markets in the name of Jamdani, thus depriving the buyers of traditional
Jamdani appeal. Many sellers are handing out Indian cotton called Jamdani,
Tangail looms, Pabna and Rajshahi silk sarees to the buyers.
The question is what is the way to know the original Jamdani saree?
As the Jamdani saree is hand
woven, the design of the saree is very delicate and perfect. The craftsman
twists each thread by hand and weaves it exactly like the picture below. No
part of the thread comes out. Because of this, it is very difficult to
distinguish which is the front part and which is the inner part of the Jamdani
saree. Another way to identify a Jamdani saree can be to check its thread and
smoothness. Cotton and silk threads are used in Jamdani saree weaving.
The machine woven saree is only
embroidered with the exact design in imitation of Jamdani. On the reverse side
of these sarees, the back threads come out in a cut state.
How long does it take to make a Jamdani saree and how much does it cost?
If two artisans spend 10 to 12
hours a day making a Jamdani saree, it can take anywhere from seven days to a
month or two to make the entire saree, depending on the design. But machine
woven sarees do not require much time or effort. That's why the price is
relatively low. Generally, the price of a jamdani can range from Tk.2,000 to Tk.50,000 or some special sarees can be Tk.100,000 depending on the time of saree
making, the quality of thread and the fineness of the work.
Types of Jamdani Saree
There are three general types of
jamdani in terms of thread usage.
1. Full Cotton Jamdani - which
is made of cotton thread.
2. Half-silk jamdani - where the
transverse threads are silk and the longitudinal threads are cotton.
3. Full-silk jamdani - where
both the ends are made of silk.
It is important to be sure about this thread before buying a saree, as fake jamdani sarees use artificial threads like polyester or nylon instead of silk. To check the quality of the thread, you should look carefully at the ends of the saree. Nylon thread is smooth, while jamdani silk thread is starched and will be relatively uneven.
Features of Jamdani:
1. The main feature of Jamdani
is its geometric design. Different types of flowers, foliage, kalka and other
designs are depicted in this geometrical design.
2. Jamdani designs are of
various types. Among them Panna Hajar, Tercha, Pansi, Mayurpankhi, Batpata,
Karla, Jal, Butidar, Jalpar, Dubli, Duria, Bolihar, Katihar, Kalkapar etc. are
more common.
3. Handwoven jamdani is light in
weight and comfortable to wear.
4. In the Jamdani saree, the
part that is kept at the waist, that is, up to five and a half hands, no border
is woven. But machine woven saree has border all over.
5. One of the characteristics of
Jamdani sarees is that the finer the thread, the finer the work. The higher the
yarn count, the finer the yarn.
6. The quality of Jamdani mainly depends on this fineness of work. And how delicate the saree will be, depends on the skill of this thread and the weaver.
*If the design of small flowers
or leaves are arranged in triangles in Jamdani, it is Tercha Jamdani.
*If flowers, vines are woven in
all the texture like netting, it is called net design.
*Flowers lined up all over the
ground are known as Jamdani Phulwar.
*Duria Jamdani is arranged in a
striped pattern.
*If there is a design of Kalki on Temini Bank, it will be Kalkapar.
How to take care of Jamdani saree
Because Jamdani saree is quite
expensive saree and classy so it will take care of it as well. Let's know how
to take care of your hobby jamdani.
1. Saree with fall
After buying a Jamdani saree,
your first task will be to apply the fall on the border. By doing this, the
edge will not be folded, and the cutlets will also be beautiful.
2. away from water
Like other sarees, Jamdani
sarees cannot be washed with soap powder and water. Rather, to keep the jamdani
always like new, it should be kept away from water. If the starch used in
making jamdani gets wet, the weave of yarn may loosen and spread. By doing
this, Jamdani sarees are easily ruined.
3. Wash the fork
Jamdani cannot be dry washed in
any way. Because if Jamdani saree is ironed after dry wash, the fabric of the
saree may become soft and damaged. So the only way to wash Jamdani is the fork
wash Even if the saree of choice is damaged or faded, you can also hand wash
it. And thorn wash can be done only by those who make Jamdani.
4. in the sun
If Jamdani sarees are left in
the corner of the closet for a long time, it develops a musty smell. To get rid
of this condition it is good to dry the saree in the sun occasionally. Not only
should it be exposed to the sun, the saree should be turned upside down so that
both sides get equal exposure to the sun. If for some reason rain water falls,
it should be dried well in the sun. It will protect the saree.
5. Proper fold of saree
Planting the falls, putting it
in the sun, washing the forks, now it's time to put the jamdani in the
cupboard. The fold of the saree is also very important while holding up the
jamdani. Cannot be folded like a normal saree. Even breaking the saree in the
middle and hanging it on a hanger is not right. Since jamdani is handwoven very
finely, a single thread in the weave can cause the saree to fray. Keeping the
saree in a white paper packet while keeping it in the cupboard keeps the saree
protected from fungus. The fold should be changed occasionally. Because if the
saree is left in one fold for a long time, it may get damaged.
6. Do not leave it too long
Jamdani sarees are usually not worn except for festivals. The fact is, the more Jamdani is read, the better it will be. So sometimes it is better to wear Jamdani.
Finally, Jamdani sarees play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, providing economic opportunities in rural areas and sustaining traditional crafts. All are requested to come forward to continue their efforts to support and promote this traditional craft.
- May you be beautiful, take
care of your Jamdani. Stay beautiful