The saree is more than a garment; it is a living expression of culture, craft, and continuity. Worn across regions and generations, it carries stories of everyday life, celebration, and identity. Each
weave and technique reflects the intelligence, patience, and creativity of artisans who have preserved these traditions over centuries. From intricate handwoven patterns to breathable everyday fabrics and festive dyeing techniques, the saree adapts effortlessly to changing times while remaining deeply rooted in heritage.
For co-founders and sisters Sujata and Taniya Biswas of homegrown saree brand Suta, this relationship has always been deeply personal, shaped by the crafts they grew up seeing, wearing, and loving. They celebrate five saree crafts that continue to reaffirm why the saree will always belong across generations, regions, and moments.
Ikat: Where Precision Meets Poetry
Ikat was the first craft the sisters truly encountered while growing up, especially in Odisha. Built on a tie-and-dye process, every colour and pattern is visualised and calculated long before it appears on the fabric. Its deep mathematical planning makes replication incredibly difficult, and it is this precision that allows Ikat to exist as a living, travelling art form across regions and cultures.
Mul: The Comfort of Everyday Sarees
Suta began with mul. Watching their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers wear it every single day inspired Sujata and Taniya to bring sarees back into daily life. Unstarched mul feels like home; it hugs the body gently, allows freedom of movement, and lets the wearer be unapologetically themselves. It’s not just worn; it becomes part of who one is.
Banarasi: An Heirloom That Grows With Time
Banarasi sarees will always be iconic. Over the years, the brand has celebrated this timeless weave by creating original, copyrighted motifs from reversible designs to playful insects and florals while keeping its heirloom spirit intact. It is the kind of saree that moves through generations and finds a place in every wedding trousseau.
Jamdani: Intelligence Woven Into Fabric
Jamdani is intelligence woven into fabric. The weaver calculates every motif sometimes without even a drawing while weaving, thread by thread. Owning a Jamdani feels like holding a piece of living art, a reminder that even when a design feels impossible, artisans always find a way to bring it to life.
Bandhani: A Celebration in Colour
Bandhani is joy captured in motion. Tiny knots are tied and dyed repeatedly to create patterns that resemble polka dots and starry skies.
This National Sari Day, we celebrate sarees as more than an occasion-wear silhouette. It is a living craft, shaped by generations of artisans and worn into everyday moments. Every saree carries a story, one that continues to be written each time it is draped, lived in, and loved.
