Mysore Silk

About the Product

Mysore silk is a GI Tagged product making it associated with a geographical location and that its quality and reputation are due to that location.The hand-woven silk fabric known as “Mysore silk” is made in and around Mysore, Karnataka, India. It’s renowned for its high calibre, plush texture, and glossy appearance. The local mulberry leaves are fed to the silkworms that make the Mysore silk. The silk is then spun and weaved by expert craftsmen using age-old techniques. The GI tag for Mysore silk was awarded in 1999.

The fineness, sheen, and grace of Mysore silk are well renowned. Only Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd (KSIC), the owner of the production patent for Mysore silk and the saree, produces these products. Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar established the Mysore Silk Factory in 1912. The royal family and their armed forces first employed silk fabrics only as ornamental cloths.

One of the most expensive sarees is a Mysore silk saree, which is constructed of 100% pure silk and has zari that contains 65% pure silver and 0.65% pure gold. It is available in two varieties: georgette and crepe de chine.

Why GI tag?

The excellent quality and smooth texture of Mysore silk are its specialties. It is also renowned for having a glossy appearance and having good drape. Sarees are frequently made from mysore silk, but it may also be used to create other outfits including jackets, blouses, and scarves.

The GI brand for Mysore silk was given as protection for the item’s distinctive quality and standing in the market. The tag aids in ensuring that only authentic Mysore silk is sold and also in spreading awareness of the product to a larger market.

Why Mysore?

The Mysore area of Karnataka is where Mysore silk is produced. The production of mulberry leaves, which serve as the food for silkworms, is made possible by the region’s climate and soil characteristics. Additionally, the area has a strong history of silk weaving that goes back many centuries.

Specialities of Mysore Silk:

The following are some of the factors that make Mysore silk a premium item:

Mulberry leaves that are grown in the area are fed to the silkworms.
Using age-old techniques, skilled artisans spin and weave the silk yarn.
Natural dyes are used to colour the silk.
A unique finishing technique is used to give the silk a silky, shiny appearance.

Preparation of the silk:

The two basic processes in the manufacture of Mysore silk are the cultivation of mulberries and the raising of silkworms.

Cultivation of mulberries

For the purpose of raising silkworms, a plentiful supply of mulberry leaves is necessary because they are the silkworms’ primary source of nutrition. A deciduous tree with a height of up to 30 feet, the mulberry tree. It favours well-drained soil and a warm, humid climate. Cuttings or seeds can be used to grow new mulberry trees.

The mulberry trees are arranged in rows, with 6-8 feet separating each plant and a distance of 10–12 feet between rows. The trees receive regular irrigation, and every two to three months, they are fertilised. When the mulberry leaves are young and fragile, they are harvested.

Raising Silkworms

A caterpillar called a silkworm spins a silken cocoon. The bivoltine silkworm is a unique breed of silkworm that is used to make Mysore silk. A year can yield two crops of cocoons from the bivoltine silkworm.

A mulberry house is a specific type of shed where silkworms are raised. The mulberry house needs to be well-ventilated and uninfested by pathogens and pests. Mulberry leaves are sliced into little pieces and fed to the silkworms.

Egg, larva, pupa, and adult are the four developmental phases that silkworms go through. The most crucial period for the creation of silk is the larval stage. In the pupal stage, silkworms spin their cocoons. The pupae are subsequently killed and the oil is extracted by boiling the cocoons.

Fun fact about Mysore Silk:

Mysore silk is a sustainable product. The mulberry trees that are used to feed the silkworms are a renewable resource.
The Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) is the only authorized body to produce and sell Mysore silk.
Mysore silk is a popular choice for special occasions, such as weddings and festivals.
The traditional method of weaving Mysore silk is a dying art, but there are still a few weavers who continue to practice it. The resulting fabric is a precious commodity and is highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs.

Traditional method of weaving the silk:

The traditional method of weaving Mysore silk is done on a pit loom. The pit loom is a type of loom that is sunken into the ground, which allows the weaver to sit comfortably while weaving. The warp threads are stretched across the loom, and the weft threads are passed through the warp threads using a shuttle. The shuttle is a small, lightweight device that is used to carry the weft threads.

The weaver uses a variety of tools to weave Mysore silk, including a comb, a sley, and a sword. The comb is used to straighten the warp threads, the sley is used to hold the warp threads in place, and the sword is used to beat the weft threads into place.

The weaving process is very delicate and requires a lot of skill. The weaver must be able to control the tension of the warp threads and the speed of the shuttle. The weaver must also be able to create intricate patterns and designs.

The traditional process for weaving Mysore silk includes the following steps: