PAITHANI ... A GOLDEN LEGACY

Among the most gorgeous of Indian saris, Paithani Sari exemplifies the merger of the aesthetic with the symbolic. It derives its name from the town of Paithan (India), the place where it has been produced for 2000 years. Paithani is a silk sari with an ornamented zari pallav and border.

FROM PAGES OF HISTORY

References in ancient history indicate that an amazing variety of costumes made of silk and cotton fabrics were used in India. The Rig Veda mentions a golden woven fabric and the Greek records talk of gorgeous paithani fabrics from the great ancient trading and industrial center, Pratishan or Paithan in Maharashtra.

The Peshwas had a special love for paithani textiles and it is believed that Madhavrao Peshwa even asked for the supply of asavali dupattas in various colors.

The Nizam of Hyderabad was also attracted to the paithanis and made several trips to the small town of Paithan. His daughter-in-law, Niloufer, is believed to have introduced new motifs to the border and pallav (outer end of the sari) designs.