Katan Silk

Amongst all the fabrics Silk is considered to be one of the most elegant and is also very gifted as it fits well into any look. Katan silk is created by twisting together filaments to create a very sturdy and long lasting fabric.

The fabric gets an interesting textured background by the way of its creation so that any work on the fabric looks unique. Katan silk is easily identified by it’s unique look which makes it different from other forms of silk.

Origin and history

The concept of Katan silk,has it’s origin in Persia and came to India during the rule of the Mughals. In order to weave fashionable and luxurioius garments women from royal families use to purchase Silk from China, Persia and even from Benaras in India. It was mentioned in Shah Jahan Nama, the royal women use to wear extensively designed clothes in Katan silk, satin, tasser, ambary and kimkhab fabrics. They use to wear at least 2-3 different outfits in a day and then use to hand them over to the servants for their use. Thus Katan silk found it’s way to the subjects of the empire and became popular because of the sturdy nature.

Nur Jahan Begum used to design fabrics which further enhanced the popularity of such fabrics and became very desirable to the subjects of the empire.

Initially, white along with floral designs were used as color and motifs. Later red was used in combination with spots of different colors on this background. However, nowadays any color or motifs can be used owing to the evolution of fashion and fabrics.

Katan Silk manufacturing also have it’s hub in Bishnupur of Bengal. Rapurna’s Boutique in Kolkata has been very active in coming out with new designs of Katan Silk Saree through it’s own creativity and original visions.