A customer once asked us: "There are so many types of Paithani sarees online, how do I know which is which?" We realised then that while everyone loves the Paithani, not everyone knows the full story behind each variety. This guide is for every saree lover who wants to truly understand what they are buying.
Before we talk about the different types, here is what every authentic Paithani must have:
- silk for warp and weft (the base threads)
- Real zari - gold or silver thread woven directly into the fabric
- Interlock technique - the border and body are woven simultaneously, not stitched together
- Oblique square pattern on the border
- from the Government of India
The Muniya Paithani is named after the Muniya parrot. The border features a continuous pattern of parrots woven in rich colours. It is the most popular and most gifted saree at Maharashtrian weddings.
Price range: Rs.8,000 to Rs.60,000 for pure silk.
Single Muniya vs Double Muniya: A single Muniya border has one row of parrots. Double Muniya has two rows and costs more.
Bangdi Mor translates to peacock inside a bangle. The pallav and border feature peacocks enclosed within circular bangdi frames. This is one of the most complex and prestigious Paithani designs.
Price range: Rs.25,000 to Rs.1,50,000+ for pure silk.
In a Kadiyal Paithani, the border is the different colour as the body. The word Kadiyal refers to this different-colour technique. It has an understated elegance that appeals to women who prefer subtlety.
Price range: Rs.12,000 to Rs.80,000.
The Lotus border Paithani features a continuous lotus motif along the border. The lotus holds special significance in Indian culture - it represents purity, prosperity, and Goddess Lakshmi.
Price range: Rs.10,000 to Rs.70,000.
Though technically a different weave, the Narayan Peth saree comes from the same Maharashtra handloom tradition. It features a characteristic checks or stripes pattern on the body with a contrasting silk border.
Price range: Rs.5,000 to Rs.40,000 for pure silk.
The Gadwal Paithani combines the Gadwal weaving tradition from Telangana with Paithani design elements. The body is typically woven in cotton while the border and pallav are pure silk with zari.
Price range: Rs.6,000 to Rs.35,000.
A semi-silk Paithani uses artificial silk for the body weft while retaining real silk in the key design elements. This brings the price down significantly while maintaining visual appeal.
Price range: Rs.1,500 to Rs.8,000.
- The silk test: Rub fabric between palms for 30 seconds. Pure silk warms up. Synthetic stays cool.
- The light test: Hold to bright light. Pure silk has an even, warm glow.
- The burn test: Pure silk burns slowly, smells like burning hair, leaves crushable ash.
- The price test: Genuine pure silk handloom Paithani cannot cost less than Rs.6,000-8,000.
| Type | Starting Price (minimim) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Muniya Border | Rs.8,000 | Parrot motifs on border |
| Bangdi Mor | Rs.25,000 | Peacock in bangle design |
| Kadiyal | Rs.12,000 | Self-colour border |
| Lotus Border | Rs.10,000 | Lotus motifs |
| Narayan Peth | Rs.5,000 | Checks/stripe body |
| Gadwal Paithani | Rs.6,000 | Cotton body, silk border |
| Petkar Paithani | Rs.20,000 | Heritage weaver family |
| Semi-Silk | Rs.1,500 | Art silk body, affordable |
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