APRAJITHA

Handwoven Kanchipuram Korvai Silk Sari
Parvai’s Promise

Every Parvai sari is more than cloth; it is a story. Our creations encourage both artisans and patrons to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and value the process behind the product. By fostering this dialogue, we ensure that every piece stands for ethical practices, dignified wages, and a shared vision of change. What we wear is not only an expression of beauty but also a reflection of our environment, our people, and our values. At Parvai, we promise to tell you everything about our products, from inspiration to loom.

• Occasionwear | Designed exclusively by Parvai
• Origin | Woven in Chinna Kanchipuram
• Technique | Traditional three-shuttle korvai weaving on a jacquard loom
• Fabric | Pure mulberry silk (2-ply warp, 4-ply weft)
• Comfort | Breathable, hypoallergenic, suitable for all seasons
• Feel | Smooth, soft, and luxuriously rich
• Ease | Drapes effortlessly and retains its elegance for generations
• Labour | Over 200 hours of artisan work
• Ethics | Fair wages, safe environments, and recognition for every artisan
• Exclusivity | One-of-one heirloom piece
• Sustainability | Eco-conscious and responsible production

Product Details

The Design

This exceptional Korvai sari is a celebration of colour, symbolism, and heritage.

• Body: A classic all-time favourite dark brown field woven with vertical gold and red motif lines. Two central motifs dominate the design — the Gajavyala, a mythical creature with the head of an elephant and the body of a lion, symbolising intelligence and power, and the deer, embodying grace and continuity.
• Borders & Blouse: Bold 9.5-inch mustard yellow korvai borders, blouse, and pallu, woven with the classic retta petu (double-line) design, framed with mutthu (pearls) and vanki (arched) motifs.
• Pallu: Ornate floral bands cascading with nostalgic elegance, echoing the timeless Tamil aesthetic.
• Every motif has been rendered with precision on the jacquard loom, reflecting mastery of the weavers

Dimensions

• Length: 5.5 m
• Width: 1.27 m
• Blouse: 1 m
• Weight: 750 g

Care Instructions

• These are heirloom saris meant to be cherished and passed on. We recommend:
• Gentle hand wash in cool water with mild detergent (only when necessary).
• Shade dry; avoid direct sunlight.
• Store with care to preserve its brilliance.

The 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 jacquard
• Pre-loom preparation time: 18 days
• Weaving process: 55 days

The People

Every Parvai sari carries the imprints of many hands and hearts.

• Dyers: Shohan Babu & team
• Pre-loom: Six artisans (warpers & loom setters)
• Petni work: Shanthi & Lakshmi
• Design: Ane Thomas
• Master Weaver: Murugadoss
• Weavers: Lakshmi & Shakthivel
• Each name is a legacy. Each legacy is a story.

Perspective

This sari unites the natural and the mythical, weaving a lyrical dialogue between flora and fauna that has long animated the Kanchipuram imagination. The cascading floral bands of the pallu are a tribute to classical Tamil artistry, lush, layered, and timeless. In contrast, the body pulses with the dynamic energy of the Gajavyala, a mythological guardian that symbolises intelligence and might, and the poised deer, an emblem of grace, continuity, and the quiet strength of gentleness.

Framed by enduring retta petu borders and flowing meen motifs, the sari becomes more than a garment; it becomes a living canvas of symbolism. Here, strength meets serenity, memory converses with myth, and nature blends seamlessly with human craft. In every thread of silk, the sacred and the sensory converge.