Draft:Maheshwari Sari
Submission declined on 5 June 2025 by WikiMentor01 (talk).
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
| ![]() |
Submission declined on 26 April 2025 by AlphaBetaGamma (talk). This submission appears to read more like an advertisement than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles need to be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources, not just to materials produced by the creator of the subject being discussed. This is important so that the article can meet Wikipedia's verifiability policy and the notability of the subject can be established. If you still feel that this subject is worthy of inclusion in Wikipedia, please rewrite your submission to comply with these policies. Declined by AlphaBetaGamma 2 months ago. | ![]() |
Maheshwari Sari
[edit]The Maheshwari sari is a traditional handwoven textile from Maheshwar, a town situated on the banks of the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is known for its luxurious feel, fine cotton-silk blend, delicate zari borders, reversible designs and timeless elegance. Originally commissioned by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century, the Maheshwari sari blends royal patronage, regional traditions, and artisanal excellence, embodying centuries of weaving heritage and cultural symbolism.[1]
History
[edit]The origins of the Maheshwari sari date back to the 18th century under the patronage of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar (1725–1795), who ruled Maheshwar after moving her capital there from Indore. According to historical accounts, the queen commissioned master weavers from Surat and Malwa to create a special fabric suited to gift visiting dignitaries and royal guests.[2] These saris were initially woven for the nobility and were famed for their subtle elegance, geometric designs, and muted color palettes inspired by local architecture.[3]
While Maheshwari weaving faced decline during industrialisation, concerted revival efforts during the late 20th century by organisations like the Rehwa Society, founded in 1979, helped reclaim its traditional importance while adapting to modern markets.[4]
Technique
[edit]Maheshwari saris are woven using a distinctive cotton and silk yarn combination:
Cotton is used in the warp and silk in the weft, resulting in a fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and has a subtle sheen.[5]
The saris are typically woven on pit looms using the “extra-weft” technique to create decorative borders and motifs without interrupting the base weave.[6]
Traditional Maheshwari saris follow a standard set of five border styles - such as Chatai (mat), V-Maheshwar (chevron), and Chameli ka phool (jasmine flower) - all deeply rooted in Maheshwar’s architectural motifs.[2]
The pallu (decorative end of the sari) is usually elaborately designed with stripes, checks, or floral patterns, often in gold or silver zari threads.[5]
Geographical Significance
[edit]Maheshwar, located on the banks of the Narmada River, has been a historical centre for craft and spirituality. The town’s architectural elements—including its temples, ghats, and fort complexes—are reflected in the design vocabulary of Maheshwari saris. The region’s climate, particularly its humidity, is considered beneficial for silk weaving, helping maintain thread flexibility during the process.[7]
Sustainability
[edit]Maheshwari saris demonstrate several aspects of sustainability:
Use of natural fibbers like cotton and silk, increasingly sourced through organic means.[8]
Hand-weaving methods that require no electricity and produce minimal environmental waste.[9]
Limited use of synthetic dyes in traditional practices, though contemporary commercial production sometimes deviates from this norm.[9]
The craft provides livelihoods to hundreds of artisans in Maheshwar, especially women, contributing to rural employment.[8]
However, environmental concerns like the use of synthetic dyes in commercial production and the availability of quality silk threaten traditional sustainability practices.[1]
Design and Innovation
[edit]While maintaining traditional motifs and techniques, Maheshwari saris have also undergone design adaptations:
Expansion into new colour palettes, including pastels and brighter hues.
Diversification into other garment forms such as dupattas, stoles, and jackets.[10]
Collaborations with designers and textile brands have introduced Maheshwari textiles to broader audiences, both domestic and international.
Use of natural dyes and sustainable yarns in select workshops reflects ongoing innovation in the sector.[11]
Preservation and Recognition
[edit]Efforts to safeguard Maheshwari weaving include:
Cooperatives and NGOs: Entities like Rehwa Society (established in 1979) train weavers, provide financial support, and preserve traditional techniques.[10]
Government initiatives: Support from schemes under the Ministry of Textiles such as the Handloom Mark Scheme encourages quality certification and export promotion.[11]
GI tag protection: Maheshwari saris have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, protecting their authenticity and ensuring recognition for artisans.[12]
Skill transmission: Apprenticeship programs encourage younger generations to continue weaving, preventing loss of indigenous knowledge.[10]
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Sustainable Approaches in Textiles and Fashion. Sustainable Textiles: Production, Processing, Manufacturing & Chemistry. 2022. doi:10.1007/978-981-19-0538-4. ISBN 978-981-19-0537-7.
- ^ a b Jain, Jyotindra (1980). "Textile Traditions of Central India.". Marg Publications.
- ^ Mishra, Rekha. ""Maheshwari Saree - A Weaving Legacy of Madhya Pradesh"". Journal of the Textile Association.
- ^ Gupta, T., Mistry, B., Gupta, B. S., & Indian Institute of Crafts & Design. (2017). A treatise on Recent Trends and Sustainability in Crafts & Design.
- ^ a b "Maheshwari Weaves: Handloom Heritage of Maheshwar"". ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts (2023).
- ^ Urbanisation of Hand Block Prints of Rajasthan - A Critical Appraisal
- ^ R, Preetha (2024). "A Review on Hand Block Printing in India". ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts. 5. doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i1.2024.689.
- ^ a b Mishra, Jagriti (2013). "Aavaran creating niche through contemporary traditional textiles". Emerging Markets Case Studies Collection. 3 (2): 1–12. doi:10.1108/eemcs-aug-2012-0143.
- ^ a b "A treatise on Recent Trends and Sustainability in Crafts & Design" (PDF).
- ^ a b c "Rehwa Society. (2024). Annual Report: Empowering Maheshwar's Weavers. Rehwa Society Official Publication".
- ^ a b "Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. (n.d.). Handloom Mark Scheme and Handloom Promotion Programs".
- ^ "Government of India. (2010). Geographical Indications Journal No. 34: GI Registration of Maheshwari Sarees. Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry".
- in-depth (not just passing mentions about the subject)
- reliable
- secondary
- independent of the subject
Make sure you add references that meet these criteria before resubmitting. Learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue. If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.