Tanvi

Product Specifications

Silk: Karnataka Mulberry Silk
Warp: 2-ply Mulberry Silk (20–22 Denier)
Weft: 2-ply Mulberry Silk (18–20 Denier)
Weight: Approximately 698 g
Zari: 2G Gold Tested Zari

Length: 5.5 metres
Width: 1.27 metres
Blouse Fabric: 90 cm (included)

Technique: Handwoven on a traditional pit loom using a jacquard mechanism.

Design Details

Tanvi is the inaugural design developed by Parvai in collaboration with the traditional silk weavers of Molakalmuru, Karnataka—a weaving cluster celebrated for its centuries-old silk weaving heritage and recognised today with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Conceived as an homage to the understated elegance of South Indian textiles from the 1950s and 1960s, the sari reinterprets familiar design elements through contemporary colour, proportion, and craftsmanship. The body is woven with finely articulated gold zari checks that create a subtle architectural grid across the silk. Rather than dominating the surface, the checks gently animate the fabric, allowing the remarkable lustre of Karnataka mulberry silk to remain the defining visual element. The interplay of the woven structure with light gives the sari a quiet brilliance that changes with movement. One of Tanvi’s defining characteristics is its extraordinary shot colour. The rich body appears as an intense jewel-toned magenta, created through the careful interplay of contrasting warp and weft colours. Deep blue, crimson, and magenta silk combine to produce a colour that continually shifts with changing light, revealing remarkable visual depth while remaining unmistakably vibrant. The sari is framed by contrasting deep indigo borders, richly brocaded in 2G tested gold zari. Classical floral scrolls are woven alongside traditional geometric divisions and finely articulated ornamental bands, creating a border that is both balanced and richly detailed. The measured proportions preserve the elegance of the sari while providing a striking visual frame to the checked body. The pallu culminates in a magnificent composition centred around a pair of seven-inch Koni paisley motifs. Richly ornamented with scrolling foliage and flowering vines, these paisleys draw inspiration from the classical decorative vocabulary found across historic South Indian silks. Parallel zari bands beneath the motifs provide structure and rhythm, allowing the monumental paisleys to become the visual centrepiece of the sari. The accompanying blouse continues the border detailing, ensuring a harmonious finish to the ensemble.

Production Details

Producer: Aarthi Natarajan
Brand: Parvai
Designer: Annie Thomas
Master Weaver: Ashwin Vanjre
Weaver: Rajesh Vanjre
Petni: Vijayatha
Dyers: Sheyas and Team
Pre-Loom Team: Approximately six artisans involved in warping, sizing, and loom preparation
Place of Weaving: Molakalmuru, Karnataka

Pre-Loom Preparation: Approximately 22 days
Weaving Time: Approximately 32 days