The Kandangi Sarees Weave Guide — Every Handloom You Need to Know
From the interlocked borders of Kanjivaram to the bold checks of Chettinad — a plain-language guide to the handloom sarees we carry, where they come from, and how to choose the right one for you.
Jump to a weave:
What is Kanjivaram Silk?
Origin: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu · Price range: ₹8,000 – ₹40,000
Kanjivaram silk sarees are the crown of South Indian weaving. Handwoven in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, by weavers who have carried this craft through generations, each saree is made from pure mulberry silk with contrasting borders and intricate zari motifs. At Kandangi Sarees, every Kanjivaram we carry has been handpicked by us — chosen for the quality of its weave, the richness of its colour, and its wearability for real occasions.
Key characteristics:
- —Pure mulberry silk with heavy body
- —Contrasting borders woven separately and joined
- —Temple-inspired zari motifs
- —Rich, vibrant colour palette
- —Durable — lasts generations with care
What is Gadwal Silk?
Origin: Gadwal, Telangana · Price range: ₹4,000 – ₹18,000
Gadwal sarees from Gadwal, Telangana are woven with a unique technique: a cotton body paired with pure silk borders and pallu. This makes them lighter than full-silk sarees while retaining the lustre and grace of silk where it matters most. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Gadwal sarees that honour the weave's heritage — intricate zari motifs, fine craftsmanship, and comfortable drape for women who wear sarees every day.
Key characteristics:
- —Cotton body with pure silk borders and pallu
- —Lighter drape than full silk — comfortable for daily wear
- —Intricate zari motifs on the border
- —Distinct woven join between body and border
- —Vibrant colour contrasts
What is Venkatagiri Silk?
Origin: Venkatagiri, Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹3,000 – ₹15,000
Venkatagiri sarees from Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, are celebrated for their feather-light weave and fine cotton-silk blend. The sarees feature delicate jamdani-style motifs worked directly into the fabric — no embroidery, just pure weaving artistry. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Venkatagiri sarees for their refined elegance: pieces that feel effortless on the body and carry the warmth of a living weaving tradition.
Key characteristics:
- —Ultra-fine cotton-silk blend
- —Delicate jamdani motifs woven into the fabric
- —Feather-light drape — comfortable in warm weather
- —Subtle, elegant colour palette
- —Intricate border work
What is Mangalgiri Silk?
Origin: Mangalgiri, Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹3,500 – ₹16,000
Mangalgiri, a small weaving town near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, produces sarees with a distinctive nizam border — a gold or silver zari stripe woven at the edge. Mangalgiri silk sarees combine this signature border with a smooth, slightly textured body that holds a crisp pleat. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Mangalgiri silks for their versatility: formal enough for occasions, comfortable enough for everyday wear.
Key characteristics:
- —Signature nizam border — gold or silver zari stripe
- —Crisp, structured drape
- —Smooth slightly textured body
- —Versatile — occasion and everyday wear
- —Pure silk or cotton-silk blend options
What is Kuppadam Silk?
Origin: Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹4,000 – ₹18,000
Kuppadam sarees are a lesser-known treasure from Andhra Pradesh, woven in the Kuppadam tradition with a combined silk-cotton structure and a richly contrasting border. Similar in technique to Gadwal but with distinct regional motifs and colour sensibilities, Kuppadam sarees are a rare find — and at Kandangi Sarees, we pick them specifically for women who appreciate discovering weaves that are authentic but not yet overexposed.
Key characteristics:
- —Silk-cotton combination structure
- —Richly contrasting borders
- —Regional motifs unique to Kuppadam tradition
- —Rare, limited availability
- —Comfortable drape
What is Pen Kalamkari?
Origin: Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹3,000 – ₹20,000
Pen Kalamkari is one of India's most distinctive textile arts — each saree is hand-painted using a bamboo pen (kalam) and natural plant and mineral dyes. Made primarily in Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh, these sarees depict mythological scenes, birds, florals, and geometric patterns. No two pieces are identical. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Pen Kalamkari sarees for women who want something genuinely handmade — not printed, not stamped, but drawn by hand.
Key characteristics:
- —Hand-painted using bamboo pen (kalam)
- —Natural plant and mineral dyes only
- —Mythological, floral, and geometric motifs
- —Each piece is genuinely unique
- —Cotton or silk base
What is Rajkot Patola Silk?
Origin: Gujarat · Price range: ₹15,000 – ₹80,000
Rajkot Patola sarees from Gujarat are woven using the single ikat technique — where warp threads are resist-dyed before weaving to create bold, geometric patterns with striking colour contrasts. Rajkot Patola is more accessible than the Patan double ikat variety while retaining the distinctive geometric vocabulary that makes Patola sarees so iconic. At Kandangi Sarees, we carefully source Rajkot Patola sarees for collectors and saree connoisseurs who appreciate rare regional craft.
Key characteristics:
- —Double ikat — both warp and weft pre-dyed
- —Perfectly aligned geometric patterns
- —Months of weaving per saree
- —Reversible — same design on both sides
- —Among the rarest sarees in India
What is Raw Silk?
Origin: Multi-region (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka) · Price range: ₹2,500 – ₹12,000
Raw silk sarees retain the natural texture of the silk fibre before it is fully processed, giving them a slightly nubby, textured surface and a matte-to-subtle sheen. This honest, understated quality makes raw silk sarees a favourite for women who want the beauty of silk without the high formality of processed varieties. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick raw silk sarees that drape beautifully, come in rich earthy tones, and suit both everyday elegance and formal occasions.
Key characteristics:
- —Natural, slightly nubby texture
- —Matte to subtle sheen
- —Rich, earthy colour palette
- —Lighter than processed silk — comfortable to wear
- —Versatile — everyday and occasion
What is Tussar Silk?
Origin: Jharkhand / West Bengal · Price range: ₹3,000 – ₹14,000
Tussar silk (also called Kosa silk) is produced from wild silkworms and is known for its natural golden-tan sheen and distinctive grainy texture. Woven primarily in Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, Tussar sarees are lightweight, breathable, and carry an earthy, natural elegance. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Tussar sarees for women who love texture and appreciate the unpretentious beauty of natural fibres.
Key characteristics:
- —Natural golden-tan sheen
- —Distinctive grainy, nubby texture
- —Lightweight and breathable
- —Earthy natural colour palette
- —Wild silk — unique to each piece
What is Soft Silk?
Origin: Karnataka (Bangalore / Mysore) · Price range: ₹2,500 – ₹8,000
Soft silk sarees are woven from a finer, lighter silk yarn that produces a smooth, fluid drape quite different from the structured weight of Kanjivaram or Gadwal. Often associated with Bangalore and Mysore silk traditions, soft silk sarees are a favourite for women who want the sheen and elegance of pure silk without the stiffness of heavier weaves. At Kandangi Sarees, we handpick soft silk sarees that combine a clean finish, vibrant colour palette, and everyday wearability.
Key characteristics:
- —Smooth, lightweight drape
- —Bright, vibrant colour palette
- —Subtle natural sheen
- —Less stiff than heavier silk varieties
- —Versatile — daily wear to celebrations
What is Chettinad Cotton?
Origin: Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu · Price range: ₹1,200 – ₹6,000
Chettinad cotton sarees are woven in the Karaikudi region of Tamil Nadu, traditionally associated with the Chettiar community. They are known for their bold checks, stripes, and bright contrasting colour combinations — a visual identity that is immediately recognisable. The fabric is thick, sturdy, and develops a beautiful softness with every wash. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Chettinad cottons that are authentic to the tradition — colourful, characterful, and built to last.
Key characteristics:
- —Bold checks, stripes, and contrasting colour combinations
- —Thick, durable cotton weave
- —Gets softer and more comfortable with every wash
- —Naturally breathable — ideal for warm weather
- —Rich, vibrant colour palette
What is Narayanapet Cotton?
Origin: Narayanapet, Telangana · Price range: ₹1,500 – ₹8,000
Narayanapet sarees come from the Mahabubnagar district of Telangana and are known for their wide, richly woven zari borders on a cotton body. The combination of a structured cotton weave with a formal zari border gives these sarees a versatility that is hard to match — equally at home at a festival or a family gathering. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Narayanapet cottons for their solid build, honest weave, and the way they hold a pleat without effort.
Key characteristics:
- —Wide richly woven zari borders
- —Sturdy, structured cotton body
- —Holds pleats well without stiffening
- —Suitable for festivals, occasions, and everyday wear
- —Strong, long-lasting weave
What is Venkatagiri Cotton?
Origin: Venkatagiri, Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹1,000 – ₹5,000
The cotton variant of Venkatagiri sarees shares the same fine weaving heritage as its silk counterpart but offers a lighter, airier fabric ideal for daily wear. Woven with delicate jamdani-style motifs, Venkatagiri cotton sarees are among the finest handloom cottons in India. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick these for women who want the elegance of a handloom saree on a regular day — without any compromise on craft.
Key characteristics:
- —Ultra-fine cotton weave
- —Delicate jamdani motifs woven in
- —Feather-light — perfect for warm weather daily wear
- —Soft, comfortable drape
- —Subtle, refined colour palette
What is Mangalgiri?
Origin: Mangalgiri, Andhra Pradesh · Price range: ₹1,000 – ₹5,000
Mangalgiri sarees are the cotton variety of the Mangalgiri weaving tradition — lighter than the silk versions but equally distinctive. The nizam border, woven in gold or silver zari, gives these cotton sarees a polish that makes them suitable well beyond casual wear. The "Gachi" refers to the double-warp construction that gives the fabric its characteristic crispness. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Mangalgiri sarees for women who want a daily-wear saree that still looks considered.
Key characteristics:
- —Signature nizam border on cotton body
- —Double-warp construction for natural crispness
- —Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- —Suitable for office, home, and casual occasions
- —Pure cotton — breathable in warm weather
What is Khadi Cotton?
Origin: Pan-India (various Khadi cooperatives) · Price range: ₹1,000 – ₹6,000
Khadi sarees are woven from hand-spun yarn — each thread drawn out by hand before being woven on a handloom. The result is a fabric with a distinctive irregular texture, natural warmth, and an honest quality that is completely its own. Khadi sarees span a wide range of styles, from plain and earthy to intricately bordered, and they are produced by weaving cooperatives across India. At Kandangi Sarees, we pick Khadi sarees that are genuinely hand-spun — not machine-spun fabric passed off as Khadi.
Key characteristics:
- —Genuinely hand-spun yarn — not machine-spun
- —Distinctive irregular texture
- —Natural warmth — comfortable in all seasons
- —Earthy, natural dye colour palette
- —Woven by cooperative artisan communities
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