Silk has been an important part of India’s culture and economy for centuries. The first Indian silk was spun in 1725 BCE. The beautiful cloth was and still is considered a symbol of royalty and prestige. It is used in important rituals and ceremonies. Making silk is a long process that the Chinese guarded for many years.
First, special silk worms are fed mulberry leaves. After eating for several days, the worms make cocoons around themselves. The cocoons are placed in almost boiling water to separate all the individual strands. These incredibly thin strands are spun together to create raw silk. The filaments are washed, dried and dyed beautiful colors. Then the silk filaments are spun together to make thicker, sturdier strands. Then, the silk can be used to weave cloth.
- 36,000 silk worms can eat one ton of leaves in their lifetime.
- Each cocoon can produce 700 yards of filament.
- India is the second-largest producer of silk.
- Ninety percent of India’s silk is produced on handlooms.
- South India produces most of the silk in India.
- Sarees, traditional Indian dresses, are usually made from colorful silk.
- India produces five types of silk.
- Indian weavers are known for their ability to create unique and complicated patterns while weaving.
- Different areas are known for weaving different complex patterns.
- Varanasi is the area famous for having the finest silks.
- Sometimes gold and silver strands will be woven in with the silk.
- There is the classic silk made from mulberry
silk worms. - Tussah is made by extracting silk strands from the cocoon of the Antheraea mylitta moth after it has completed its transformation.
- Oak Tussah is made from the Antheraea pernyi moth’s cocoon. This moth is native to China.
- Eri is produced by a moth that is native to India: It’s the Philosamia ricini.
- The Antheraea assama produces Muga silk. It is unique because it has a shimmery golden color.
For more information, visit the following sites:
naturalfibres2009.org
anitasilk.com
csb.gov
