White and maroon, a colour combination that speaks of purity meeting passion, simplicity embracing elegance. This handloom soft cotton white and maroon saree embodies that beautiful duality, creating a garment that's both understated and striking. Woven by the skilled artisans of Dhatrigram in West Bengal, this saree showcases the refined aesthetic sensibility that has made Bengali textiles celebrated across India. The pristine white body features delicate horizontal striping in maroon and black, creating subtle texture without overwhelming the clean canvas. The pallu transforms into a celebration of traditional weaving artistry, with bands of intricate geometrical patterns and a striking row of ornamental motifs that resemble temple bells or floral medallions. Measuring the standard 5.5 metres in length and 1.19 metres in width, this saree offers the exceptional softness and breathability that only handloom cotton can provide.
About the Craft
The weaving tradition of Dhatrigram represents West Bengal's enduring commitment to textile excellence, where knowledge passes from generation to generation through skilled hands rather than written manuals. Creating this cotton saree requires mastery of both technical precision and aesthetic judgement. The weavers work with fine cotton count yarns certified as 100% CGM cotton, ensuring the fabric achieves that perfect balance between substance and lightness. The design employs sophisticated extra warp and extra weft techniques, specialised weaving methods where additional coloured threads are introduced to create patterns without compromising the base fabric's structure. The body of the saree features delicate horizontal striping created through extra warp threads in maroon and black, woven at regular intervals across the white ground. This creates a subtle visual rhythm whilst maintaining the transparent plain ground weave that makes cotton sarees so comfortable. The pallu showcases the weaver's true artistry, transitioning from simple striping to increasingly elaborate bands of geometrical patterns. The most striking feature, the row of ornamental motifs that appear almost embroidered but are actually woven into the fabric, demonstrates extraordinary skill. Each motif, resembling a stylised floral or temple form, is created through an extra weft technique where maroon threads are carefully introduced and woven to create these three-dimensional appearing designs. The maroon borders frame the entire composition, whilst the hand-knotted fringe adds traditional finishing detail.
Speciality
What makes this white and maroon cotton saree exceptional is its remarkable versatility combined with undeniable sophistication. The white base makes this saree suitable for occasions where lighter colours are preferred, morning events, religious ceremonies, summer functions, yet the maroon detailing prevents it from appearing plain or unfinished. The subtle striping across the body creates visual interest without being overwhelming, making this saree appropriate for professional settings, educational institutions or any environment where understated elegance is valued. The pallu, however, tells a different story. When draped over the shoulder or displayed during traditional pleating, it transforms the entire look from simple to spectacular. The ornamental motifs are particularly striking, their symmetrical beauty drawing the eye and starting conversations about traditional weaving techniques. This saree pairs beautifully with both traditional and contemporary styling; it looks equally elegant with a simple cotton blouse and minimal jewellery or dressed up with silk blouses and statement pieces. The fine cotton count ensures exceptional comfort; you'll experience the softness the moment you drape it, and that comfort only improves with wear. The transparent plain ground weave allows air circulation, making this saree particularly suitable for India's warm climate, whilst maintaining enough substance to drape beautifully with proper fall and pleating.
How to Care?
Cotton handloom sarees with intricate extra warp and weft work require careful, gentle maintenance to preserve their beauty through years of wear. This saree must be hand-washed only. Machine washing can stress the delicate woven patterns and potentially distort the carefully created textile structure. Use cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent specifically formulated for natural fibres or delicate white fabrics. For white cotton, you may occasionally use a gentle whitening agent designed for natural fibres, but avoid harsh bleach, which can yellow the fabric or damage the maroon threads. Gently swirl the saree through water rather than scrubbing or wringing, which could distort the weave or cause the colours to bleed. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear and no soap residue remains. To remove excess water, press gently between clean white towels; never twist or wring the fabric. Dry in complete shade, away from direct sunlight, which, whilst it can help maintain white's brightness, may also cause the maroon to fade over time. Never use a tumble dryer. Iron whilst slightly damp on medium heat, or use a pressing cloth if the saree is completely dry. Take extra care when ironing the pallu to avoid flattening the textured motifs. Store folded with acid-free tissue paper or cotton cloth between folds to prevent yellowing or permanent creasing. With proper care, this saree will maintain its pristine appearance and remarkable softness for years.
This handloom soft cotton white and maroon saree represents the perfect marriage of simplicity and sophistication, a garment that respects tradition whilst fitting seamlessly into contemporary lifestyles. By choosing this saree, you're not just adding versatility to your wardrobe; you're supporting the weaving communities of West Bengal, preserving centuries-old textile traditions and experiencing the unmatched comfort that only handloom cotton can deliver. Wear it once, and you'll definitely appreciate its exceptional softness, elegant design and the quiet confidence that comes from wearing something truly well-crafted.