Famous Sarees of India Quiz: Where Does Each Saree Come From?

Most famous Indian sarees are named after the place where they are woven. Here is a quick guide to the ten in this quiz.

• Banarasi, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): silk with rich zari brocade, floral and paisley motifs.
• Kanjeevaram, Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu): heavy mulberry silk with wide contrast borders and pallu.
• Paithani, Paithan and Yeola (Maharashtra): silk with peacock and lotus motifs woven into the pallu.
• Patola, Patan (Gujarat): double ikat silk, with the pattern dyed into both warp and weft before weaving.
• Chanderi, Chanderi (Madhya Pradesh): light, sheer silk-cotton with small gold motifs.
• Pochampally ikat, Bhoodan Pochampally (Telangana): geometric ikat patterns.
• Baluchari, Bishnupur (West Bengal): silk with scenes from the epics woven into the pallu.
• Muga silk, Assam: silk with a natural golden sheen, worn as the mekhela chador.
• Sambalpuri, western Odisha: tie-dyed ikat (bandha) with motifs such as the conch, wheel and flower.
• Kota Doria, Kota (Rajasthan): very light fabric with a square, chequered weave called khat.

Handloom, powerloom and print

Many of these weaves have a Geographical Indication (GI). Genuine handloom pieces take days or weeks to weave and cost accordingly. Powerloom and printed versions copy the look at a fraction of the price. Both have a market, but a seller should describe them honestly: "Banarasi-style" or "Patola print" is not the same as a handwoven Banarasi or Patan Patola.

Silk or art silk?

"Art silk" usually means viscose or polyester made to look like silk. Pure silk pieces can carry the Silk Mark label. When a supplier says "silk", ask whether it is pure silk, and get it written on the bill.

Where Surat fits

Surat produces large volumes of affordable sarees in synthetic fabrics such as georgette, chiffon and crepe, printed, embroidered or with zari work, many inspired by these traditional designs. See the Surat saree markets.