Paithani

Districts / Region

Paithani is named after the town of Paithan in Aurangabad district. Its industrial center has now been shifted to Yeola in Nashik area.

Unique Features

Paithan was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled over peninsular India for more than four centuries after the dissolution of the Mauryan Empire. Paithani got its name from Paithan and it is known for its Zari work, which has distinctive designs on luxurious silk sarees. Paithani is generally dark in color and has a smooth, glossy surface. The work can be seen on one end of the sari, also known as padar, and floral motifs can be found on either side or on the kath.The feature of these patterns is that they look the same on both sides. In Maharashtrian customs, paithani is usually associated with marriage.
The padding and edges of the classic paitani are 9 yards long and 2.5 yards wide, with floral and animal and bird designs. It can weigh up to 3.3 kg and requires 17 g of gold and 250 kg of silver. The price depends on the quality differences known as Baramasi, Chudamani and Ekvasimasi.There are royal records referring to the weaving of Chattesmasi paithani with the number 130-silk, which indicates that it is of exceptional quality.
Asavali, bangadi, peacock, akroti and khadi are some of the related names for Paithani padra. Meenakari is the name given to handicraft patterns made from high-quality silk. The green, yellow, red and gray orange colors, figs are the common paitani colors made with vegetable dyes.Paithani takes about twenty one days to make and is said to last for one hundred years. It takes about a week to make the post. The production of Paithani involves a large number of artists. Gold and silver have been transformed into gold by beautiful gold threads. The thread is wound on a bobbin and given to a weaver by a craftsman named Vatave. The process of weaving silk thread requires a great deal of patience and perseveranceBecause it involves a number of processes to maintain its specific quality.
The Paithani industry migrated to Balewadi in Nashik district in the 17th century. A Maratha lieutenant sent some very clever weavers from Paithan to Yeola. Paithani had reached its peak of popularity during the Peshwa reign.Traditional designs and classes remained popular until the first decade of the twentieth century, but general designs and patterns changed according to people's tastes. The cost of paithani was high as it required time-consuming methods of manufacture and due to the advent of mechanical inventions cheap replicas began to fill the market, resulting in the destruction of this once famous cultural symbol.Since the formation of the state, the Government of Maharashtra has been benefiting from the continuous efforts made through various programs to promote this old art.