Fascinating and Inimitable Tussar silk saree for a Stylish Look
India is the country of a rich variety of natural fibres reflecting our age old tradition. It is hub of some of the finest fabrics in the world. Among the different varieties of silks, tussar is often considered to be the queen of silk sarees. This makes tussar silk saree an essential saree of every woman’s wardrobe.
Tussar silk is also known by its Sanskrit name “Kosa silk”. It is mainly produced in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar. Tussar silk is famous for its rich texture and natural gold sheen. Though traditionally worn as a saree, tussar silks are also made into other garments such as shirts, kurtas, and dupattas.
Tussar silk saree is obtained from silkworms that feed on the leaves of the trees Saja, Arjun and Sal. It is also known as “wild silk”. Tussar silk is obtained from silk moths of the antherea mylitta species. The moths look like mirror due to circular markings on them. When processed or boiled, these silk moths produce naturally gold-colored threads. The cocoons of the silk moths are single-shelled and are oval in shape. Boiling the cocoons is a crucial part of manufacturing silk as it makes the cocoon soft. This process makes it easier to extract the silk. If the cocoons are boiled after the larvae has left it, it is called “ahimsa silk” which is of great demand of wearer of a different type of faith and religion.
The ancient art of silk production is an exceptional talent among many tribal inhabitant the eastern part of India. They are experts in this art and are highly dedicated in producing silks of finest quality. It takes a lot of time and hard labour to produce the silks we see in the market.
The history of tussar silk saree can be traced back to the medieval times. Although, tussar is now produced in many parts of the country, Jharkhand is still the primary region of tussar silk production. The Kharaswa district of Jharkhand is the centre of tussar silk production and thousands of skilled tribal weavers are engaged into it. The expertise of this culture has been deeply rooted through several generations in these tribes.
Jharkhand alone accounts for approximately 40% of the tussar silk produced in India. The weaving skills of the tribal workforce have made sericulture the most important source of income in the state. This makes Jharkhand the treasure island of knowhow and technique that is special to the style of weaving in this state.
Tussar silk saree stands out in the field of Indian fashion world of fabric and threads. The unique characteristics of tussar silk add to its ethnicity and elegance. It is light and easy to wear. It has a rich and coarse texture. It gives a cool and comfortable feeling. It imparts dual shade to the saree.
Maintenance of Tussar silk
Tussar silk saree needs to be maintained in order to keep its lovely look intact. Dry cleaning the tussar silk is the best way to take care of this ethnic fabric. In case you are cleaning the tussar saree at home, do not wring the excess water from the saree. Remember to dry the saree in shade as drying out in the sun may cause the color to fade. Do not use any chemical bleach. Using cold water and mild detergent t will extend the shine and durability of the magnificent tussar silk saree.
Tussar silk saree is one of the most chosen one for the stylish as well as fashionable ladies in Indian society. Different boutiques and other prestigious saree showrooms have a huge collection of tussar silk saree and you are bound to like some of it. If you style it with terrakota or other ethnic jewelries and a lovely leather clutch purse, you will definitely stand out in a crowd for your fascinating ,stylish and exceptional look.