Kanchipuram
Kanjivaram Sarees — Korvai Silk from Kanchipuram
A Kanjivaram is woven from heavy mulberry silk, and in the korvai method the body and the border are woven on separate warps and interlocked by hand — which is why the join can be felt as a fine ridge and never pulls apart. The pallu is joined at the pitni seam by the same logic.
Loading the collection
Korvai and pitni
Two weavers work the loom together to interlock a contrast border. The pallu is woven separately and joined; a well-made pitni seam is a zigzag you can see but not tear.
Living with the weight
A true Kanjivaram is heavy — 700g and upward. Store it folded in unbleached muslin and refold along a new line every few months so the zari never creases in one place.