India Post Special Covers on GI Tagged Products: 189. Thirubuvanam Silk Saree

Thirubuvanam Silk Saree are traditional wedding saree of pure silk and gold electro plated silver zari thread, medium weight with motifs, body and border woven in the same single warp. Thirubuvanam is a town located in the vicinity of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. This historical town has preserved the art of silk weaving and has withstood the test of time.

Thirubuvanam Silk Saree are made from the commonly domesticated silk worm of the Genus Bombyx which feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree hence also called mulberry silk. The speciality of the Thirubuvanam silk saree is that using filature silk for both warp and weft resulting in high quality, shining, uniformity and luster.

Thirubuvanam sarees are very rich in quality with fine counts of silk. The exquisite silk saree are woven from pure mulberry silk in contrasting colours and have an enviable reputation for luster, durability and finish. They reflect a Weaving and dyeing tradition, hundreds of years old.

The town of Thirubuvanam has been renowned for its aesthetically pleasing silk sarees right from the time of the Cholas. The city of Thirubuvanam was built by King Chola’s family, believed to be named after Kulothunga Chola III, who was a Thirubuvanam Chakravarti.

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Thirubuvanam silk saree is known for intricate border and pallu designs are aesthetically embellished with fine Zari. The wide borders in contrast colors with intricate motif patterns are very fascinating. These sarees are elaborately hand‐woven and contain intricate brocades and motifs which are well‐received.

The most popular motifs are influenced by temples, flowers, natural leaves and fruits. The common designs of motifs used in Thirubuvanam are natural and floral like that Mango, Kalasam, Temple, Ruthratcham (Rudraksha beads), Diamond, Neli, Mayilkan (the peacock’s eye), Kodi visiri, birds like peacock and parrot. Checks, stripes and geometrical patterns are also included in the motifs.

The pallu of a Thirubuvanam Silk‐sari is woven continuously on the loom and the pallu simply runs on from the body of the sari. This process of weaving technique is locally called “porai ilupu” which distinguish the Thirubuvanam Silk Saree. Thirubuvanam silk saree once again different from other by folding named as “visiri madippu” (folding of traditional hand held palm fan) like folding of Angavasthiram.

‘Korvai’ means solid or contrast borders with series of delicately woven in zari. The three bells denoting the chalangai or anklet could well be followed by the chequered pattern of the peacock’s eye, the arm jewel – vanki, bunches of grapes, creepers and mangoes. All in one saree and the touch of surprise – ‘meena’ work or coloured thread in between the zari.

Colours include the endless brightness of parrot green, the depth of coffee brown, the shimmer of golden yellow or the double coloured the blue – green mayilkazhuthu (peacock’s neck), the red‐orange of a lion, the violet‐green of a new‐born mango leaf.

Thirubuvanam Silk Products includes the following Seer Mundhi Pure Silk Saree (Regular and Long) , Attached Border (Korvai) Seer Mundhi Silk Saree, Silk extra warp Design Silk Saree, Plain Silk Saree, Tissue Silk Saree, Jangala Silk Saree, Korvai Pattu Pavadai (Skirt), Ponnadai (Silk Shawls) and Plain pieces