Baluchari | Sarnochari

Saris depicting the story of Lord Krishna explaining the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna is one of the most popular design of Baluchari saree.

Once Bishnupur was the capital of Malla dynasty and different kinds of crafts flourished during their period under the patronage of Malla kings. Temples made of terracotta bricks were one achievement of these rulers. A major influence of these temples can be seen in Baluchari sarees. Mythological stories taken from the walls of temples and woven on Baluchari sarees is a common feature in Bishnupur.

The Baluchari sari traces its origin to West Bengal. The name Baluchari came into existence because the weaving of these saris started in a small village called Baluchar in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal around 500 years ago.

The pallu of these sarees is usually descriptive of episodes from mythological stories.

Some of these sarees can depict an entire episode out of the Bhagavad Gita.

Adorning the borders and pallus, these vivid illustrations are extremely unique particularly on a garment like a saree. Some sarees also depict instances out of ancient times or even Vedic themes.

Despite the trauma faced by the Bengali artisans due to partition, the precious heritage of Swarnachari saree weaving has been kept alive over the generations and has survived to be known as one of the richest, artistic heritage of Bengal.