Most expensive sari-world
record set by Chennai Silks
[Nov
28] CHENNAI, India--A silk sari, intricately woven with 12 precious
stones and metals and replicating 11 famous paintings of Raja Ravi
Verma, has set the record for The Most Expensive Sari. Chennai
Silks, a textile house in Tamil Nadu, has woven an outfit
that's fit for a queen – a sari studded with gold, diamonds, emeralds
and other precious stones; it costs Rs 40 lakh and weighs around
eight kilogram. (enlarge
photo)
'This is the first time gems and art have been
(put) together to make a sari', says Chennai
Sliks director Chandran.
It took 30 weavers around seven months to make
the sari and its launch was also star-studded with actors Suhasini
Mani Ratnam, Shobhana and Jeeva attending the event.
“The most special thing about the sari is the
Ravi Varma painting which has been woven into it. All the intricate
details in the painting have been replicated like the curly hair
of the ladies and the jewels they are wearing,” Assistant General
Manager of Chennai
Silks K V Sriram said.
He claimed it was the first silk sari manufactured
using 7,440 jacquard hooks (which are instrumental in weaving a
design) and 66,794 cards (which are punched to create a specific
design using CAD software.)
To be identified as a ‘the world’s most expensive
sari’ for sure, it is designed by handloom weavers of city-based
textile house ‘The Chennai Silks’ and portrays Verma’s renowned
art work of ‘Lady Musicians’ featuring women choir from diverse
enriching milieu.
The border of the sari flaunts 10 paintings by Ravi
Verma, which can be seen as a tribute to the celebrated artist.
Trinkets made of gold, ruby, diamond, emerald,
platinum, silver, yellow sapphire, sapphire, cat’s eye, topaz, pearl
and coral are all incorporated to embellish the women attribute
in the paintings, via convoluted hand woven process.
“This sari can be worn. Normally also it can be used,
so it’s not just for a record,” Sriram said.
The director claims they have already received enquiries
regarding the sari and hopes that it will be sold soon.
