Saharaa

This is a Shikargah Banaras saree. The name Shikargah (Shikar or hunting) comes from its human or animal motifs, especially in hunting postures, which have been very intrinsically woven into the fabric. It has been described as “a living heirloom, a study in opulence, a drape once made only for the royalty, woven only by 5% of the weavers in Benares” thus making it a very unique piece. The word is also used to describe how kings used to go on a hunt for wild animals in their kingdom, a popular custom in the old days. The process of weaving such a saree is also very complicated, taking 60 man-days to weave the saree. The border of the saree has elephants and floral motifs alternated in a beautiful pattern along the entire length of the saree. The body is decorated with golden horses, lions, deers, hunters, birds coming together to create an exuberant animal kingdom.