Madhuri Dixit is a name and face much known to us all. Some remember her as the playful Nisha, or the strong Shivani seeking revenge. The versatility of the many roles she has played has been such diverse and as she made a comeback, her performances in the Marathi cinema are attracting the audience wondrously well. The other segment where she has always stolen hearts is through her sartorial choices. Always an ambassador of what the Indian feminine showcases, she has worn sarees and dresses with élan. This Marathi magnificence adorned a Sacred Weaves magnificence that has its roots in her own home state as Madhuri Dixit drwas us back to Paithani banarasi Saree lores.
JDS Banaras has been looking forward to pay a tribute to this diva and the look. Why JDS? Of course. Sacred Weaves, as may be unbeknownst to some is a part of the bigger Banarasi handloom umbrella of JDS Banaras. However, this blog is more about the look and the saree than sing songs about our century old establishment that has been doling out authentic certified banarasi silk handloom sareees, lehengas, fabrics, and more.
Paithani, a Marathi heritage:
In the age of Pinterest, you can just quickly reach and check how a Marathi bride looks. The nath is by now almost a GI tag of the Marathi art and culture, but so is Paithani. Pratishthani was the name of the place from where it originated, but with time the name underwent linguistic colloquialism and remained Paithani from Pratishthani.
A historical handwoven saree from the BC era of Satvahan Dynasty, Paithani were a favourite of the Peshwai royals and nobles too. They, given their status, would get gold and copper blend threadwork on the pattan or the borders. Usually very plain but in vibrant colours, the base would have a silken sheen to itself. It is the border and the pallu that would include a lot of work and usually one could see it as a tapestry of our flora and fauna. Lotus, peacocks, geometrical lines, and such motifs was easier to see.
Muniya Motif worn by Madhuri
The motifs on the mustard yellow saree worn by Madhuri was the Muniya motif. Muniya is the local name for parrots. If there were a pair of birds woven, we could have called it the Muniya-Maina motif and would have represented fertility and conjugal bliss. Whereas the paithani banarasi Madhuri chose to be photographed in carried a single red beautiful parrot or Muniya, sitting on a branch. The intelligence of the weaver and why we call banarasi handloom weavers as artisans is evident here — the motifs are in a striking dark red to create a perfect colour pop, break the monotony of the similar hues of mustard yellow and golden threadwork. However, the motifs are so subtle that one has to be an art enthusiast to be able to identify the nuanced work.
Golden Buta and Floral Pallu on Yellow Silk
It is like dropping glistening drops of gold on the yellow silk tapestry. Adds the perfect pop and if smartly placed, the golden buta work can add an allure and not make the saree gaudy. JDS Banaras has always appreciated such nuanced work as the modern femme fatale needs something that speaks volumes about their intellectual power. This yellow mustard paithani has just right vibe to it. The buta work is spaced well and add a soft glimmer as the light would touch it.
The pop of purple, orange, and green in the pallu adds a magic of its own. The monotony of the colour gets broken, but the floral bouquets add a char. The flowers represent cheer, charm, nature, fertility, and much more, and the pallu becomes a living epitome of all the symbolism around the patters.
Madhuri essays a Festive Look
Madhuri has worn two gold necklaces, one closer to the neck, while the other is bosom length with the pendant laying like an adornment of the muniya motif border. Her golden Marathi nath, green glass bangles combined with gold bangles, jhumkas adorning the ear, and the neat bun embellished with floral gajra make her look like an artist’s dream muse. Who knows, if Raja Ravi Verma saw her, he might have immortalized her in some anecdotal painting of his.
However, JDS feels this look has the potential to make a new bride, choose it for a post-wedding function or festive wear, with or without the nath. This look is also suitable for the mothers or sister-in-law of the bride where they get to look million dollars without looking like a competition. For the working professionals, one could tone down the jewelry and make the saree a very formal appropriate attire for official parties.
Final Address:
The mustard yellow paithani banarasi handloom saree worn by Madhuri, in fact her whole look takes us back to the lore of the yesteryears, very historic nostalgia with the modern subtlety touches. Her look has made JDS Banaras lock it for helping every lady desirous of such a powerful aura. We feel that when celebrities carry such a charm and wear banarasi handlooms, it helps our mission better and makes more women opt for a timeless, heritage and sustainable choice which can become an heirloom if correctly cared for.
Sacred Weaves:
Paithani is a part of our couture collections, and we have such a plethora of choices. You can opt for subtle sarees such as the mustard yellow one worn by Madhuri, or you can opt for an overall motif heavy vibrant paithani banarasi saree if you are a bride-to-be or for all your festive needs. There is a saree for everyone. The silk mark certification is a promise which we have been handing to every client as we let them know of their new patron status. Visit us at https://www.sacredweaves.com/ and let us help you find a Paithani suitable for the royal you.