Syaahi Mangalagiri Handpainted Jet Black Saree

What scene is on the pallu?

It is a village scene in cream line art: figures, cows, trees and a temple, drawn on the black ground. A wide olive-gold woven temple border frames the saree, which keeps the cream drawing as the focus of the pallu.

How is the body painted?

The black body carries large placed motifs in cream line art, the same figures, cows and trees that build into the scene on the pallu. Because the drawing is in cream on black, every line reads clearly, and the olive-gold border frames it.

Is it really hand painted?

Yes, the work is hand painting on Mangalagiri cotton silk. Look closely and you will see small differences in line thickness and spacing from one figure to the next. Those minor irregularities come from the hand and make each piece its own.

Will the shade on my screen match the saree?

Close, but not exact. Screens show colour differently, so hues can vary slightly from what you see here. The light and dark contrast of the painting will be the same; the exact warmth of the ground may read a little different in daylight.

What blouse comes with it?

A running blouse comes attached to the saree. Your tailor cuts it off and makes it in whatever cut you like, from a simple round neck to elbow sleeves. A black blouse keeps the look clean, letting the cream drawing and olive-gold border lead.

How should it be cleaned and stored?

Dry clean only. Store it in a separate bag in a dry place, refold it along different lines every few months so the creases do not set, and give it fresh air from time to time. Dry it in the shade if it ever gets damp.