EXQUISITE ELEGANT EXCLUSIVE
Committed to authenticity and creativity, the sheer amount of devotion and labour which goes into the making of handwoven sarees is extraordinary. It stands as a significant part of Indian heritage that is both culturally and historically rich, yet the art form has been witnessing a drastic reduction in its practice. This is why we at Tulsi Weaves believe in enlightening people about the art of handloom. The driving force behind Tulsi Weaves is to preserve the craft by not just making people aware, but by also establishing a symbiotic relationship with weavers and handloom societies. With this in mind, the team of designers at Tulsi Weaves aims to imbibe innovation into every sari we create.
THE PROCESS:
At Tulsi Weaves, we aspire to weave authenticity into every thread. When you behold each of our creations, you can feel the hours of unrelenting effort that have been poured into every nook and corner of the sari. Every phase, starting from the conception to execution is dealt with painstaking attention to detail and so is the passion with every single one of our sarees that are crafted.
THE INCEPTION OF IDEAS-
Pick any piece of art, you'll find it birthed from ideas that transcend the realm of creativity. Here, at Tulsi Weaves, every saree produced finds its origin through a rigorous creative process. Our team of exceptionally ingenious designers and artists work dedicatedly to ensure that every inch of your saree is nothing less than a work of art. Whether it is the pattern, design or colour, each aspect is conceived to retain the timelessness of the Kanjivaram Weave while bringing about a contemporary edge.
FINDING THE PERFECT PALETTE OF COLOURS-
Colour is what breathes life into any attire. Especially in a saree, they are hallmarked by their vivid lustre and their colourful jewel tones. Therefore it goes without saying that colours are an essential visual component of every saree. Our designers brainstorm and unearth colours which marry perfectly and create magic within the material, which is no small feat. Every tint, every tone is chosen with care to bring you hues that would sweep you off your feet. These colours are then incorporated into the warp and weft which make up the core of the fabric and are interlaced to discover the combinations that work best. The warp is the yarn that runs vertically across the loom while the weft is threaded horizontally.
ENVISIONING THE DESIGN-
With the saree acting as a canvas for the intricacies of these patterns, they are crafted to perfectly complement every drape of the sari. Every pattern, every design which adorns your saree is hand-drawn after hours of deliberation. There's a generous amount of thought that goes into conceiving a design concept. Once the conceptualization for each saree is thoroughly communicated, our artists begin to sketch them out. Whether it's the timeless 'Thamarai' or the classic 'Mayil', these quintessential Kanjivaram motifs with a contemporary spin are cultivated. Finally, with every pattern taking form, the overall look of the saree is then visualised.
OFF TO THE LOOMS-
The masters of this exceptionally elegant craft, the weavers, receive the inputs once the conceptualization, the colours and the designs are finalised. They're sent to the looms and from there to the artisans who weave each sari on a handloom. Every thread is finely woven with accuracy and hence a significant amount of time is spent in producing a single saree. Depending on the complexity of the design, a genuinely made Kanjivaram saree can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.
A DANCE OF WARPS AND WEFTS-
The warp is the yarn that runs vertically while the weft runs horizontally across the loom. It's the interplay of these two components that create the remarkable structure and feel of the fabric. The way in which the warp and weft interact with each other determines the final visual outcome of the saree. Whether it is the complex ‘ettu kol’ where the elaborate twill weave is used or the ‘Korvai’ which is unique to the Kanjivaram. Every thread, every step towards the forming of the saree. it's all a result of how the warp and weft are woven.
WEAVING THE WONDER-
There are very few attires in the world which could match the sari in the terms of both its grace and the technicalities that goes into its making. Saris are carefully woven and weaving them entirely by hand and bringing it into existence is a laborious process that demands hours of strenuous work. The handloom consists of a reed, a shuttle and a set of foot pedals. The warp is stretched across and the weft threads are entwined using the moving shuttle. The foot pedals are used to manoeuvre and operate the handloom. Prior to this process, the designs which are to be woven into the saree are all punched into the 'jacquard'. The jacquard makes it more convenient to weave intricate and complicated patterns.