Description

Tanchoi muga katan is a silk weaving technique that uses twisted mulberry silk yarn called “katan” in both the warp and weft to weave sarees. The yarn is twisted in two folds to create a single color warp and up to five colors in weft. Tanchoi is practiced in Gujarat and Varanasi (formerly Benaras) to make sarees known for their brocade-like designs and lightness. Katan is a plain-woven fabric made of pure silk threads that are twisted together. The yarn is made by twisting various silk filaments, making it sturdy and durable. Katan silk originated in Persia, and was carried to India through trade, where royal women made elegant garments from it. Muga silk is used in products like saris, mekhalas, and chadors. It can be dyed after bleaching, and its luster increases after each wash.