Why does one Banarasi cost a few thousand rupees and another many times more? Once you know what drives the price, the number starts to make sense.
1. The silk
Pure katan silk costs more than blended or art silk. The finer and purer the yarn, the higher the base price — and the better the drape.
2. The zari
Real gold or silver zari is far dearer than the tested (electroplated) or imitation kind. A saree heavy with real zari will always cost more, and weighs more too.
3. The weave
How the motifs are made matters enormously. Kadwa — each motif woven in separately — takes much longer than cutwork, so it costs more. A pictorial Shikargah or a dense all-over pattern is dearer than a simple scattered booti.
4. The hours on the loom
Ultimately you’re paying for time. A saree that took one weaver six weeks must cost more than one woven in three days. Density of pattern, fineness of detail and the number of colours all add loom-hours.
5. Handloom vs powerloom
And of course, whether it was woven by hand or machine. A handloom carries all the costs above; a powerloom shortcuts most of them.
At Khinkhwab
We’re always happy to tell you exactly why a saree is priced as it is. Explore our handwoven Banarasi sarees.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a Banarasi saree expensive?
Mainly five things: pure silk, real zari, the weaving technique (kadwa over cutwork), the hours it took, and whether it is handloom or powerloom.
Is a heavier Banarasi always more expensive?
Weight from real zari and dense weaving does add cost, but fineness and the technique matter just as much as sheer weight.
Sources & further reading
Khinkhwab weavers’ accounts. See also the many hands behind a Banarasi.
