The Silk Sarees of Southern India

The silk saree of southern India are a class by themselves. They use heavy lustrous silk and broad borders and elaborate pallus, with contrasting color combinations, which result in harmonious color blends. Traditionally the patterning is part of the woven fabric and not an extra weft. The checks and stripes are woven into the warp and weft. The delicate buds known as mallimogu, jasmine buds, form a part of the weave itself and accentuate the texture, and are woven into the body of the silk saree in contrasting colors.
Kancheepuram, Tanjore and Kumbakonam, which are the important pilgrim centres are also important textile centres of Tamil Nadu. Sangareddy and Dharmaswaram in Andhra Pradesh, Kolegal and Molkalmoru in Mysore are also famous silk weaving centres.
Tanjore specialised in weaving the all over gold work sarees used for weddings and for offering to temples. These carried rich broad borders in gold work and pallus with patterns derived from temple griezes.