‘Dharohar’ loosely translates to inheritance, a prized possession that has been lovingly handed down generations, a legacy, a bridal trousseau of rich fabrics oozing of history, love, and an emotional pull for one’s roots.
When you buy a piece from the Dharohar collection by Suchita Pandey, you are investing in a legacy of craftmanship that only increases in value over time. Every piece is hand-woven with a deep-seeded love and respect for an ancient craft that our artisans have been passed down through generations ensuring each outfit is a unique masterpiece of its own.
Banarasi Silk
This age-old prized silk that originates from the ancient city of Varanasi has been a prized possession in a bridal trousseau since the Mughal reign in India during the 14th century. This sheer light-weight fabric is produced from the larvae of several silkworms which in turn is used to create yarn that is meticulously twisted to create a characteristically crinkled surface on the fabric and is therefore also referred to as Ghicha Silk
With Mughal influence, artisans started weaving complex designs into the silk using real gold and zari threads. These designs were inspired by floral and foliate motifs (most popular ones being kalga and bel), as well as compact metallic effects including ‘jali’ (a net-like pattern) and ‘meena’ work.
Patola
It is believed that the Patola sari was first introduced to the royal courts by the famous merchant Ibn Batuta in 1342 AD and were a popular choice among the royal ladies well into the 18th century.
A Patola is a double ikat-woven sari that is crafted using the finest silk, usually Mulberry silk for its smooth texture and natural sheen which makes it ideal for weaving the vibrantly elaborate patterns that are an integral part of a Patola creation.
The Patola sari is woven on a tilted loom which requires the skills of two artisans at one given time, and depending on the intricacy of the work, a single sari can take over a year to create!
Suchita Pandey reintroduces the lost art of royal weaves, elaborate colors, motifs and folklore in the Dharohar collection making it accessible to the youth of today. An ode to the undeniably elegant, ethereal ladies of the king’s courts that the unethical practices of fast-fashion can never compare to, these pieces are guaranteed to be a prized possession in your wardrobe for generations to come.