Cut Work Weaving of Uttar Pradesh

Banaras is well-known for its fine handwoven silks. Around the early nineteenth century, Banaras had established itself as a significant centre for patterned silk weaving in the Indian Subcontinent. Banarasi cutwork fabric is made by clipping extra floating threads that are not engaged in pattern formation and are lying loose in the fabric’s back side. It is an attempt to replicate the highly labor-intensive ‘Karhuwa’ technique thus producing low-cost fabrics in larger quantities. It is extremely popular with the urban consumer, the design repertoire covers geometric, floral, and paisley patterns.