Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk are two popular types of silk sarees that originate from South India. Both are beautiful and luxurious fabrics that can be worn for special occasions. However, there are distinct differences between Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk.
The key difference between Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk is their composition and weight. Uppada silk is not made from mulberry silk and is lightweight, whereas Kanchipuram is made from mulberry silk and is quite heavy.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Uppada Silk
3. What is Kanchipuram Silk
4. Similarities – Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk
5. Uppada Silk vs Kanchipuram Silk in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Uppada Silk vs Kanchipuram Silk
7. FAQ – Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk
What is Uppada Silk
Uppada silk is a type of saree fabric woven in South India. In fact, it’s named after the small town of Uppada in Andhra Pradesh. It’s created with a blend of viscose fibers, has a silk-like, shimmery texture, and is lightweight. This fabric is mainly used for sarees, saree blouses, gowns, scarves, etc. They can be identified by measuring the thread counts (the number of threads woven in one square inch in both length and breadth). Since Uppada has a smooth nature, it gives a good fall.
Moreover, Uppada silk is made using a non-mechanical method. It uses the Jamdani weaving technique, which has a history of 300 years. Although this technique faced a decline during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, it also had a slow revival in the 20th century. Many Uppada artisans use Zari work to decorate the fabric. Generally, two weavers work on a single loom to weave designs on the fabric using Zari work. Since Uppada is completely hand-crafted, it takes about two months to complete one fabric. In an authentic Uppada saree, the reverse sides of the motifs are finely finished as the front side.
When cleaning Uppada silk for the first time, it’s better to dry clean it first. In the subsequent cleanings, you can use a mild detergent. You should also make sure not to dry this fabric in direct sunlight.
What is Kanchipuram Silk
Kanchipuram silk refers to a traditional form of silk saree from South India, especially from Tamil Nadu. The name Kanchipuram actually refers to the town where these sarees originated from. Furthermore, these sarees are known for their bright colours and elaborate designs, and often use gold and silver thread. They are hand-woven from mulberry silk.
Classic Kanchipuram silk sarees are made from heavy gold, silver, or copper zari work over the border and pallu using the korai weaving technique. However, modern sarees are lighter and often use a mixture of weaving techniques.
Three shuttles are used to weave a Kanchipuram silk saree. One unique feature of a Kanchipuram saree is that its border design and color are different from the body. In an authentic saree, the border and body are made separately and then interlocked. But this interlocking is so strong that the border will not detach even if the saree tears. This is a major difference between Kanchipuram sarees and other sarees.
Similarities Between Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk
- Both types of silk fabrics are mainly used to weave sarees.
- They originate from South India.
- Both are popular sarees worn for weddings and other grand celebrations.
- Both incorporate Zari work designs using silver or gold thread.
Difference Between Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk
Definition
- Uppada silk is a type of silk-like fabric woven using a blend of viscose fibers.
- Kanchipuram silk refers to a traditional form of silk saree made from mulberry silk.
Silk Content
- Uppada is not actually made from real silk.
- Kanchipuram silk is made from authentic mulberry.
Weight
- Uppada silk is comparatively lightweight.
- Kanchipuram silk is heavier than Uppada silk.
Time Taken
- Uppada silk may take a longer time to weave – around two months.
- Kanchipuram silk can be woven faster since it uses a loom.
The following table summarizes the Uppada silk and Kanchipuram silk.
Summary – Uppada Silk vs Kanchipuram Silk
Uppada silk is a type of silk-like fabric woven using a blend of viscose fibers. Kanchipuram silk, on the other hand, is a traditional form of silk saree made from mulberry silk. Kanchipuram silk is heavier than Uppada silk but can be woven more quickly than Uppada silk. This is the summary of the difference between Uppada silk and Kanchipuram silk.
FAQ: Uppada Silk and Kanchipuram Silk
1. What is Uppada silk made of?
- Although Uppada is called a ‘silk’, it’s not made of silk. Uppada silk is made of a blend of viscose fibers. However, it has a silk-like texture and is lightweight.
2. How to identify Kanchipuram silk saree?
- In an authentic Kanchipuram silk saree, the Zari is bright, lustrous, and doesn’t tarnish easily. It feels smooth to the touch and does not fray or come apart when you pull gently. Moreover, the border and the body of the saree have separate colors and designs.
3. Is Uppada silk good for summer?
- Since Uppada silk is lightweight, you can wear it comfortably during summer. In fact, you can wear it in all types of weather, including hot and humid days.
4. Is a Kanchipuram saree heavy?
- Kanchipuram sarees tend to be heavier than other sarees. They’re made with three or four silk strands entwined together to form the yarn that goes into the loom. They also use high-quality gold and silver threads.
5. How do I know if my saree is pure silk?
- If your saree is pure silk, it should feel smooth, soft, and slightly cool to the touch. You can also hold the saree under natural light to observe its natural sheen.
Reference:
1. “Kanchipuram silk sari.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Uppada Silk Fabric.” Fabric Lore
Image Courtesy:
1. “Kanchipuram sarees (7642285396)” By Kamal Venkit – Kanchipuram sarees (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Close-up of Silk Saree with Traditional Pattern” (CC0) via Pexels
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