Origin & History:
The Venkatagiri Cotton Saree originates from Venkatagiri town in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, with a history dating back to the early 18th century. Initially woven exclusively for royal families and zamindars, these sarees gained recognition for their luxurious softness and ornate zari borders, combining comfort and grandeur in daily wear. This legacy makes them one of India’s finest cotton handlooms, officially carrying a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Artisan Communities: Primarily woven by the Padmasali and Devanga weaver communities.
Geographic Spread: Venkatagiri town, and neighboring villages like Kotha Peta, Vadde Palli, and Pathuru
Technique & Process:
1. Yarn Preparation: High-quality combed cotton yarn (generally 80s-100s count). Soaked, dyed, sun-dried, and hand-starched for crisp texture
2. Warping & Weaving: Cotton yarns are arranged on the pit loom or frame loom. Woven using the interlock weft technique with borders added separately. Zari (real or imitation) is woven into borders and pallus, often by a second artisan
3. Finishing: Saree is smoothed with wooden rollers for shine and drape. Borders often highlighted using gold or silver zari
Notable Brands & Use:Promoted by APCO, GoCoop, Taneira, and Ethicus.
Materials & Motifs:
- Fabric: 100% fine cotton; newer varieties include cotton-silk blends
- Motifs: Traditional temple borders, paisleys, peacocks, parrot motifs. Floral vines, checks (Kuppadam-inspired), or simple geometric zari lines
- Color Palette:Earthy tones: turmeric yellow, indigo, bottle green, vermilion red. Contrasting pallus in metallic gold, silver, or copper zari threads.