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Shikargah sarees feature charming hunting scenes with animals, regal scenes of royal hunts, wildlife, etc. Creating these designs is a labour-intensive masterpiece that demands a meticulous weaving process. Often adorning Banarasi sarees, these designs come to life in vibrant festive hues and metallic shades. 

Crafted with care, it takes skilled artisans time to make each piece, turning it into a breathtaking work of art. The combination of the detailed shikargah designs and the smoothness of pure katan silk creates a mesmerizing charm that's sure to captivate anyone who sets eyes on these beautiful sarees.

In this blog, we will discover everything about the Shikargah sarees on luxurious pure katan silk in detail from their history to the manufacturing process.

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Origin of Shikargah sarees

While the exact beginning is not known, experts think Shikargah designs began way before the British Raj, maybe even during the Sultanate and Mughal periods. These designs, showing hunting scenes, flowers, and figures, were carefully woven onto Banarasi sarees, showcasing the hard work passed down through generations.

Some say that Shikargah sarees might have Persian roots. Skilled weavers from Persia supposedly moved to Banaras, bringing their craft and blending it with influences from Chinese and Ottoman brocades. This mix gave birth to the unique look we love today. Shikargah Banarasi sarees, with their special motifs and colours, have stayed stylish over time, appealing to today's tastes.

The charm of Shikargah sarees isn't just in their history but also in the mix of hunting scenes with flowers and animals. These sarees, with their lively colours, make anyone wearing them look festive and classy. Once worn by kings and queens, Shikargah sarees are now a hit with modern brides, telling stories of the past while letting brides show their style.

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The manufacturing process of Shikargah sarees on pure Katan silk

Shikargah is a Persian word that refers to a traditional style of art or design that often depicts scenes of hunting, nature, and wildlife. This style of design has been historically associated with Persian and Mughal art which later came to India with them and was highly appreciated among royals.

The crafting of shikargah designs on pure Katan silk sarees likely involves a combination of traditional handloom weaving techniques and intricate hand embroidery or printing processes. 

Here are some steps that are generally involved in every type of silk saree weaving:

Getting the finest Silk: First, experts choose the finest silk threads to make Katan fabric for the Shikargah sarees. These threads are super soft and make the sarees feel nice.

Getting Ready to Weave: The selected silk threads are prepared for weaving, which is like making the base fabric of the saree. Skilled workers use special looms to carefully weave the threads together. This step is important to make sure the saree is smooth and looks good.

Katan silk is like a strong thread made by twisting silk fabrics together. It's used to create a sturdy base for the fabric. This type of silk has a simple weave and is made by twisting two silk threads together. People often use Katan silk for the main threads in light fabrics.

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Making Beautiful Designs: Artists draw or create shikargah designs that show scenes of hunting, nature, and wildlife. These designs are inspired by traditional art styles.

Putting Designs on the Saree: The chosen shikargah designs are then added to the saree. This can be done in different ways, like painting or printing. The goal is to make sure the designs look just right on the saree.

Adding Extra Details (If Needed): Sometimes, artisans add more details to the saree by sewing or embroidering with special silk threads. This makes the saree even more beautiful.

Adding Colours: After the designs are added, the saree might go through a process to add colours. This is like painting certain parts of the saree to make the colours stand out and look vibrant.

Finishing Touches: Lastly, the finished saree is checked for any mistakes, and special borders might be added. This ensures the saree looks perfect and is ready to be worn.

However, advancements in technology have introduced new methods for designing and creating silk sarees on power looms but handloom sarees are made with traditional techniques and require weeks of time and labour.

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Preserving the craft of Shikargah sarees

As with every handloom saree, preserving the art of weaving authentic shikargah sarees also faces significant challenges that demand our attention and support. The diminishing number of highly skilled weavers poses a threat to this intricate craft. Weaving an authentic shikargah requires exceptional skill, making it necessary to encourage and empower the remaining artisans. 

The presence of power looms, which lack the time and labour-intensive nature essential for traditional motifs, adds further complexity. Preserve this cultural heritage, and supporting the handloom industry are equally necessary.

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Final Thoughts 

Now that you know how charming a Shikargah saree on luxurious Katan silk is then why not consider making one yours? To keep the art alive, it's not merely about buying sarees but taking a cultural responsibility to support handmade sarees. You can join hands with us to support our handloom industry, artisans and this cultural art.

Explore Anvisha exquisite collections online, get a beautiful shikargah saree on rich pure Katan silk, and add one of the masterpieces of Indian textiles to your wardrobe. These sarees aren't just beautiful; they're a nod to our rich traditions. So, why not treat yourself to a piece that lets you shine and exude regality wherever you go?