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We all have grown up watching our mothers and grandmothers wearing handloom Banarasi sarees.

There is no denying that we fell in love with these handloom beauties the minute we saw them and dreamt of flaunting them one day! 

Well, guess what? You are a grown-up now, and your favourite Banarasi handloom sarees are still ruling the heart of women.

However, with the advancement of technology, power looms have barged into the traditional weaving practices of the artisans. 

The power loom techniques are machine-based methods of making yarns and fabrics in a short period.

Today, when you shop for a Banarasi saree, you will be asked to choose from your preferred weaving process or, simply put, from handloom or power loom sarees.

This is where you may have to evaluate your saree requirements for it to fit in under power loom or handloom Banarasi sarees.

A power-loomed Banarasi saree is equally beautiful and elegant as handloom and is available in eclectic colours and designs.

Even some designs and patterns are only found in power looms. But believe it or not, there is something special about handloom sarees which makes them hard to replace with power looms. 

The hours and hours of hard work by artisans on handloom Banarasi beauties give them a sheer and intricate touch hard to find elsewhere.

One can even guess the beauty of a handloom saree from a distance.

But before jumping right to the advent power loom in Banarasi saree, let us first uncover the important role played by handlooms sarees in the last decades!

[Read About The Reminiscent Journey Of Banarasi Fabric To A Saree]

Handloom Weaving of the Banarasi Sarees: An Overview

The ever-glorifying weaving process of handloom Banarasi saree originated in Varanasi around the 14th century when the city established itself in the Mughal era.

The artisans crafted the silk sarees for the Mughal Queens from gold and silver zari threads. 

The handloom weaving process gained recognition in the 18th and 19th centuries when more silk varieties emerged along with accessibility to craft such sarees.

The handloom Banarasi sarees were created using a series of steps starting from design making, material procurement, reeling, dyeing, weaving, and finally rendering a finishing touch! 

The artisans also use intricate motifs and patterns to make the saree look top-notch and cultured.

The handloom artisans contributed their hearts and soul to making Banarasi Saree what we know today!

[Read about Banarasi Saree Weaves Popular Among New Age Women]

Role of handloom in crafting elegant Banarasi Sarees

Handlooms play a noteworthy role in the production of Banarasi sarees. These sarees are traditionally woven by hand using silk threads, and the intricate designs are created through a combination of weaving and embroidery techniques.

Handloom weaving allows for greater creativity and individuality in the finished product, as each saree is crafted by hand, and no two are exactly alike.

Handwoven sarees also have a unique texture and drape that machine-made sarees cannot imitate.

These Banarasi Sarees represent culture and values through their elegant motifs work. 

In addition, using handlooms supports the livelihoods of traditional weavers, who rely on this art form for their income.

It is a labour-intensive process that requires significant time and effort, and the weavers who specialise in this craft are an important part of the Banarasi saree industry.

All in all, we can say that handlooms play a crucial role in the production of Banarasi sarees, both in terms of the quality and uniqueness of the finished product and in supporting the traditional weavers who have been practising this art form for generations.

The striking impact of power Looms on traditional weaving 

The power looms in the Banarasi saree weaving process came like a striking wave of change for the industry.

Artisans never saw that their employment would be hampered by the machines doing their exact work but with speed and effectiveness. 

The emergence of power looms challenged the traditional artistry scene of making the world-famous Banarasi saree. This is how power looms impacted the handloom weaving industry.    

Lower demand for handloom Banarasi sarees

The advent of power loom has declined the demand for handwoven Banarasi sarees, as power loom sarees can be produced at a much lower cost and in much larger quantities.

They save huge costing on both producing and selling fronts. People can access these sarees within their budget and in various designs and colours.

Lower quality and uniqueness

The use of power looms also impacted the quality of Banarasi sarees. Handwoven sarees are known for their intricate designs and fine details, which are difficult to replicate using power looms. 

Power looms produce sarees of fine texture and designs, but they can still lack the unique character of handwoven sarees.

Impacted the livelihood of traditional weavers

The use of power looms negatively impacted the livelihoods of traditional Banarasi saree weavers.

Weavers practising this art for generations have been forced to compete with power loom. 

This has led to a decline in the number of skilled weavers, as many have been forced to leave the industry and seek other forms of employment.

Challenge to the survival of an ancient art form

With power looms taking over most of the weaving spaces, handloom weavers are diminishing at an increasing rate.

The handloom sarees epitomised ancient art forms that brought us closer to our traditional roots. 

But with emerging power loom trends, we are somehow disconnected from the original handloom Banarasi Sarees. 

Final thoughts

Handloom Banarasi sarees live in the heart of every Indian woman, and there is no wonder why!

The classic handloom sarees are woven by expert artisans who have been working in the weaving industry for generations. 

The fine texture and detailing are nowhere else to be found. But the latest advancement had other plans when they introduced power looms to craft Banarasi sarees effectively and efficiently. 

These power looms have a significant impact on traditional Banarasi saree weaving practices.

While they have increased the efficiency and productivity of the industry, they have also led to a decline in the quality of sarees and the livelihoods of traditional weavers. 

In the words of Anvisha - Best Banarasi Saree Shop in Varanasi it is important to find a balance between tradition and modernisation to ensure the survival of this ancient art form.