Tara Sutaria’s crimson Banarasi sari came edged with an antique gold embroidered border

Few garments command presence like a Banarasi sari. On Tara Sutaria, Jayanti Reddy’s version is a continuation of a centuries-old conversation.

Handwoven in lustrous silk, the sari is an ode to India’s centuries-old weaving legacy. The rich crimson drape is adorned with intricate floral and paisley motifs, hallmarks of the Banarasi craft and meticulously woven with zari threads. The border, delicately embroidered in fine gold, frames the canvas with an understated embellishment that elevates it without overwhelming.

Each one is a labour of love. It is handwoven on traditional looms, often taking weeks or even months to complete. A single sari can involve over 5,000 threads and is the result of seamless collaboration between designers, weavers and pattern-makers. Historically commissioned for royalty, the Banarasi’s signature zari work was once woven with real gold and silver threads. Even today, authentic Banarasis from Varanasi, like Sutaria’s, are distinguished by their soft yet weighty drape, intricate butis, jaal detailing and the distinctive sound the silk makes when you run your fingers over it; a gentle rustle known as the ‘kath’.