Syaahi HandPainted Soft Silk Rich Maroon Saree

What is painted on this saree?

The body is a plain deep wine maroon, and the pallu panel is green with painted figures riding an elephant, framed by painted floral bands. A wide green woven border runs along the edge, with a floral band where it meets the pallu.

Which blouse colour works?

A green blouse picks up the border and pallu; a maroon blouse keeps it rich and tonal. Gold or kundan jewellery suits the deep colours. If you prefer a contrast to the attached blouse piece, these shades are the easiest to source in plain silk. Keep the cut simple.

What is the size of the saree?

The saree is about 6.4 to 6.5 metres long and 45 to 46 inches wide, a comfortable size for a standard nivi drape with full pleats and a generous pallu that shows the painted panel. The blouse piece is attached to this length.

Will the paint run or fade?

Dry cleaning only is the rule precisely to protect the painting. Keep the saree away from water, perfume and damp storage, and if it ever gets damp, dry it in the shade. Storing it in its own bag and refolding it regularly keeps the painted areas from rubbing and creasing, which is what protects the colour.

What blouse styles suit it?

Let the painting lead. A plain blouse in the saree's body colour or in a shade picked from the pallu, with a boat or round neck and elbow sleeves, looks elegant. For festive days, a deeper back with tassels or a little zari edging adds dressiness without competing.

How is the hand painting done?

Each saree is painted by hand with brushes on the soft silk, so the outlines, colour fills and small details carry the artist's hand. That is why every Syaahi saree is one of a kind, and why the brushwork looks alive rather than printed.