Kanchipuram Silk Weaving - Tamil Nadu's Living Heritage

Kanchipuram (Kancheepuram) silk sarees are among India's most prestigious handloom products, produced in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, supporting over 5,000 weaver families. What makes Kanchipuram silk unique: Mulberry silk threads are used - 4 to 6 strands twisted together for the body. Body and border are woven separately using korvai (interlocking technique), distinct from stitched borders. Pure gold zari is traditional; copper zari plated with gold/silver is used in contemporary production. Distinguishing authentic Kanchipuram: Twist the saree - the sound should be a characteristic silk-on-silk noise. Burn test: genuine silk burns with a smell of burning hair and leaves crushable ash. Check the korvai joint - a well-done korvai has an overlapping zigzag where border joins body. GI Tag: Authentic Kanchipuram silk has a GI tag since 2005. Economic model: Master weavers (mastri) provide yarn, design, and marketing. Workers (kaikoola) weave on commission - Rs 1,500-4,000 per saree depending on complexity, taking 3-7 days per piece. Average skilled weaver earns Rs 15,000-25,000/month. Government support: Tamil Nadu Handloom Corporation provides subsidised yarn and exhibition stalls. PM MITRA parks are being set up to consolidate handloom clusters.