Top 3 Ways to Know If Your Bandhani Saree is Authentic

Bandhani sarees are clear epitomes of the centuries-old textile traditions of India, with roots mainly extending to the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The term Bandhani originated from the Sanskrit word Bandh, which means to tie-a reference to the complicated tie-and-dye technique used in forming its instantly recognizable patterns. 

Bandhani art may date back over five thousand years and has been associated with good fate, weddings, and festivals through the ages,Bandhani sarees have many sidelines; it is perhaps better to think of it as a medium of expression waiting to be elaborated on. 

There are various techniques involved in making a Bandhani saree-a few pieces are tied into knots with thread and the rest dyed, basically preventing the dyes from going into those areas. 

This results in beautiful dot-like impressions, waves, and motifs colored in rich and bright tones on the saree. Motifs that find inspiration from nature like flowers, leaves, and animals adorn these sarees, making each an artisanal wonder. Because of the painstaking process behind it, each Bandhani saree stands as a perfect symbol of artisanship, patience, and tradition. 

However, booming mass production led to a flooding of machine-made imitations of the saree which, although perfectly regular and pretty, did not possess the innocence of a real Bandhani saree. Here is a guide to assure the authenticity of your Bandhani saree: 

1. Inspect the Tie-Dye Patterns

A genuine Bandhani saree is handcrafted, and that makes its patterns slightly uneven. Each dot or spot is created one by one by handwork; such will have variation in the size and spacing. Machine-made ones have mostly perfectly symmetrical dots on repetitive designs with no organic flow of true craftsmanship.

Another addition is small thread knotting in the fabric, which comes when tied before dyeing. If you see these knots, it can be a good sign that the saree belongs to the handcraft method.

2. Feel the Fabric

Authentic Bandhani sarees are made with a fabric which is of natural material, such as pure cotton, silk, and georgette. Touch them; they will feel soft, breathable, and lightweight. Counterfeit products will be made from synthetic material, which make them so smooth, stiff, or plasticky. True Bandhani sarees will fall gracefully and feel opulent; fake ones might not be able to capture this attraction.

3. Note the Quality of Colors

The colors of pure Bandhani sarees come from natural or high-grade organic dyes and may run a bit when washed the first time. So if the colors of the saree are just too perfect, too bright, or too uniform, it could very well mean that the imitation was done with synthetic dyes and manufactured by a machine. Real Bandhani sarees are also marred with light variations in shading all because of hand dye, which adds to their charm and uniqueness.

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