SHASHIKALA

Handwoven Kanchipuram Korvai Silk Sari Parvai's Promise Parvai products possess a remarkable ability to inspire both artisans and patrons, encouraging them to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and seek thoughtful answers. This creative dialogue fosters ethical practices, empowering individuals to evolve alongside their communities and become advocates for change. After all, social change is most effectively driven by people, their unique perspectives, and their innovative ideas. Our products are inspired by real people and places, carrying many stories with them. What we produce and wear tells a story about ourselves and our environment, and knowing how our clothing is made makes it more significant, providing us with all the information that connects us to the world around us. We promise to tell you everything we can about our products. Occasionwear | Designed originally by Parvai Woven in | Kanchipuram Adai woven Technique | Three-shuttle korvai weaving Fabric | Pure mulberry silk (2-ply warp, 4-ply weft) Comfort | All-season, hypoallergenic, breathable Feel | Soft, smooth, and luxuriously comfortable Ease | Drapes effortlessly; retains beauty over the years Labour | Over 200 hours of artisan work Ethics | Dignified wages, fair treatment, and safe environments Exclusivity | Available as a one-of-one piece Sustainability | Environmentally responsible production Product This exceptional handwoven Kanchipuram Korvai silk sari is a celebration of technical mastery and artistic expression. Woven in the heritage town of Kanchipuram on a traditional three-shuttle loom, the sari follows the classic 2 cm saw tooth korvai structure, where body and border are interlocked with precision. The black body forms the foundation, framed by a calming Krishna Blue bold 14-inch borders, pallu, and a 1m blouse. The 14-inch borders are divided into two parts featuring two design elements. The outer 11 inches features 1.3 cm neelavattam motifs totalling 870 motifs arranged equidistant throughout the borders. Each of these motifs was carefully created using an adai, making it extremely labour-intensive. The inner 3 inches constitute a band of 0.5 cms checks, creating a beautiful mesh frame. This is then topped off by the delicate 2 cm saw tooth korvai structure. The 24-inch pallu features bands of seepu reku reminiscent of the classic old-world kanchipuram silks. This piece is woven on a Parvai loom, operated by two skilled young women who are enthusiastic about learning and excelling in their adai weaving skills. Dimensions: Length - 5.5 meters Width - 1.27 meters Blouse - 1 meter Weight - 780 gms Garment care: Take care of your garment, as these are heirloom pieces that patrons can pass down through generations. We recommend gently hand-washing these sarees in cool water with a mild detergent, only if necessary. Shade dry these sarees & avoid drying them under direct sunlight. Process Handcrafted products possess an authentic personality, expressing character, skill, and culture. Who designed the product? Was there an inspiration behind the design? How do you know that the garment was made with love? How would you know if those who made them were healthy, motivated, and happy artisans? The only way is to observe and appreciate the process. We make the process visible by empowering patrons to see the impact they have on it. Woven in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Woven with Pure mulberry silk - 2-ply warp and four-ply weft Technique: Handwoven on a traditional 3-shuttle floor loom with adai Pre-loom preparation time:15 days Weaving process: 40 days People At Parvai, people matter. This sari represents not only extraordinary craftsmanship but also our responsibility to those who preserve these arts. We invite you to ask: Who made this? Are they safe? Are they paid fairly? Are they empowered to thrive? This sari was crafted by: Dyers: Shohan Babu and his team Pre-loom team: Six artisans, including warpers and loom-setters Petni work: Shanthi & Lakshmi Design: Ane Thomas Master Weaver: Mariappan Weavers: Lakmi & Shreekala Every name is a story. Every story is a legacy. Perspective Project shashikala was born out of a very inspiting conversation with one of Parvai distungided patrons on how saris and textiles become such a indespensible part of one life- memories and stories. This is when we saw the original Shashikala, a spectacular sari belonging to our patron's mother, which was purchased in the early 1980s. The threadwork of the sari had a lot of interesting details. The sawtooth korvai, the large borders with two distinct patterns and a classic traditional pallu, the neelavattam (oval) motifs on the borders. The sari belonging to her mother, Shahsikala, was one of the most flattering saris she had ever worn, but now had lived its life. We instantly knew the sari was one to be remade. Other questions Note: This product is handwoven, so slight irregularities may occur. Imperfections and variations in the product cannot be considered defects, as they are inherent to the handmade process. The product colours may vary due to the light sources or your monitor settings. Do you want to know more? We are available at +917358550888 (WhatsApp) & happy to speak to you about our creations.