Benarasi saris that brought the weaver and his loom back to life in the pandemic

Such saris are heirloom pieces to be handed down generations. They are on a par with jewellery and their worth should be known and cherished.” Swati Agarwal is speaking about re-branding the Benarasi sari. Along with her partner Sunaina Jalan, she has brought a collection, which is currently on show at Cult Modern, a high fashion and lifestyle store in Fort Kochi. “Our 40 looms have restarted and we are almost back to a normal life,” says Swati about overcoming the challenges of the pandemic.

The duo has been recreating lost and forgotten weaves and motifs on Benarsi silk since 2015. Their distinctive ensemble is made with 98.5 % pure silver yarn and 24-carat electroplated gold. Each of these single/limited-edition saris comes with a certificate that establishes purity, weave, maker, and Geographical Indication (GI).