Taant Saree: A Piece Of Authentic Bengali Tradition

By Author: M Moulik
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Sarees are probably one of the oldest surviving pieces of unstitched garments that had survived and even flourished. In India and parts of south Asia, it is still being used as party wear or regular wear by hundreds of thousands women of different age, class and religion.
There are various types of sarees which are available, like silk sarees, cotton sarees, chiffon sarees, so on and so forth. Among cotton sarees, the taant sarees of Bengal need special mention.
Taant Sarees: etymology and history:
Taant sarees are traditional cotton drapes that are largely made in West Bengal and Bangladesh. These sarees derive their name from the weaving machine or taant where the sarees are made. During the Mughal era, it is generally believed that taant saree manufacturers flourished under the royal patronage. During the colonial age, the patronage rapidly declined and the taant weavers faced serious problems. However, the taant saree survived the period too, and is still being used by women in this part of the world.
Features of Taant sarees:
These are sarees of made of cotton and found in different colors ...
... or pattern. There are certain unique features of the taant sarees –
Traditionally taant sarees were build in the handloom process. However, at present, the power looms have replaced the majority of the older machines.
These sarees are meant for daily wear. Therefore they are less expensive than the fancy sarees. At the same time there are expensive taant sarees too, especially those woven in Bangladesh, known as dhakai jamdanis sarees.
The taant sarees are quite suitable for the hot and humid climate of Bengal and nearby regions. They are made of cotton threads and are known for the lightness and softness of the fabric.
There are many varieties of the taant saree, based on their area of manufacture. Nadia, Murshidabad, Hooghly of India and Tangail, Dhaka, etc in Bangladesh are famous for their specific types of taant sarees. Though made of cotton threads, all these sarees have different weaving styles and patterns that make them stand out from other cotton sarees.
A typical taant saree could be identified by its border, which can be either thick or thin, with or without zari, and generally in contrasting color with the body of the saree. The pallu generally have some rich work with varied motifs. The bodies of thsee saree can also contain stripes, or floral design, and even geometric patterns.
Taant sarees, especially, if they have intricate designs and patterns need more care while washing, because a lot of time the vibrant colors of the sarees tend to bleed while washing. Therefore you need to be extra cautious or else your traditional saree will be ruined. Always use mild detergents to wash these sarees, since harsh detergents ruin both the fabric and the color. Also do remember to starch your taant saree and iron it after drying. Store your saree in an airy wardrobe without humidity since moisture can actually ruin your beloved saree.