Making celebrations unique: Festive sarees handwoven using RmKV’s exclusive techniques

No two Diwalis are ever the same. We’re quick to experiment with festive recipes, invite new neighbours and colleagues to parties, and add trending silk sarees to our festive wardrobes.  

Even at the RmKV Design Studio, our team eagerly awaits the festive season, ready to apply our patented techniques in weaving handloom Kanchipuram silk sarees to new designs. This season, their innovative ideas have resulted in our most diverse festive collection yet, with handloom silk sarees that are exceptional in their own right. 

Lino handloom silk sarees

RmKV’s Lino silk sarees are handwoven using a specialised technique that makes them 40% lighter than traditional handloom Kanchipuram silk sarees. This season, we combined the Lino weave with another technique unique to RmKV - the Varnajaalam. The result is the vibrant green Lino handloom silk saree with Jamdani-inspired patterns. 

 An intricate diamond-shaped dubla jaal (lattice) in peacock blue unfurls across the green body. While the composition of the jaal is geometric, look closely and you’ll notice that the lines are in fact teen patti (triple leaf) creepers, and each diamond is dotted with a jui phool (jasmine) bud. The contrast border is layered with motifs, of which the most striking is the curvilinear dooring paar. It becomes more elaborate on the pallu, where it is framed by miniature diamond lattice patterns that echo the designs on the body. A bold new interpretation of classic Jamdani designs from Bengal, this handloom Kanchipuram silk saree represents the richness of two weaving traditions from India’s eastern coast.  

While the green Lino silk saree takes inspiration from the artisans of the East, the ‘Van Gogh Reverie’ silk saree looks to the work of a celebrated artist from the West. On the pallu, Van Gogh’s ‘Field of Irises near Arles’ has been reproduced in vivid detail. The Post-Impressionist painter’s landscape painting is celebrated for its vivid contrasts, with deep purple irises captured against golden yellow fields and a summery blue sky. 

The vibrancy of the pallu is carried forward into the body, but in the contrasting tone of salmon pink. Here, strands of poppy flowers and almond blossoms - symbols of rest and renewal - are arranged vertically alongside dotted stripes in gold zari and checkered Lino panels. A simple gold selvedge completes the saree that’s designed for collectors who appreciate art, whether it’s created on a canvas or handloom.

 

Naturally-dyed handloom silk sarees with a heritage design 

After more than a decade of trials, we launched our festive collection of Kanchipuram silk sarees that were dyed using 100% natural ingredients in 2022. Every year since, we’ve created a range of naturally-dyed handloom silk sarees for the wedding and festive seasons. 

This year, our Naturals silk sarees were inspired by diverse influences. The muppagam handloom silk saree with multicolour checks, for instance, revives a heritage design from the RmKV archives. Indigo, lac, sappan wood, myrobalan and Indian madder have imparted a rich hue to the silk yarns. At the centre of the tripartite design, a palum pazhamum (milk and fruit) kattam (checked) pattern adds a vintage appeal. Striped with gold zari, the vibrant checks flow into the pallu like a river into the sea. The deep magenta borders are dotted with diminutive kili (parrot) motifs in gold zari, their dark colour contrasting beautifully with the jewel tones of the checks.

 

Naturally-dyed handloom silk sarees inspired by Japan 

The artistry of Japanese handloom textiles is another theme in our Diwali Collection. Japan prizes subtle colours that celebrate nature, and our Naturals collection was the ideal canvas for an array of designs from the island nation. 

Our naturally-dyed korvai silk saree with gradient checks exemplifies the confluence of Japanese and Kanchipuram textile legacies. On the body dyed with lac and sappan wood, shades of peach transition from light to dark in waves, their movement highlighted by a kattam (checked) frame of gold zari. A single kamalam (lotus) dots each square. On the korvai border, dyed green with indigo and marigold, seigaiha (Japanese wave) motifs form a striking curled pattern in gold zari. They reappear on the pallu in the more traditional scalloped design, along with a miniature vairam (diamond) grid. Lushly coloured and delicately patterned, this handloom korvai silk saree is a work of skilled craftsmanship.

 

Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 -  Mocha Mousse - meets the ancient art of natural dyeing in this Japan-inspired saree with tancho (crane) motifs. The warm brown tone of this handloom silk saree was achieved by mixing betel nut and catechu. The monotone extends till the pallu, from where a flock of cranes rise and soar towards the body of the saree, while the border sparkles with seigaiha (waves) in silver zari. The tancho is a symbol of hope and renewal, a fitting metaphor for the rediscovered art of colouring silk with natural ingredients.

 

The kiku (chrysanthemum) flower is celebrated in Japan as a symbol of continuity and nobility. Its many-petalled form has been captured in evocative detail on our copper-toned handloom silk saree with a running border. A blend of Indian madder, myrobalan, lac and mulberry leaves gives the silk saree its unique shade, which is understated yet festive. The gold zari border with Meenakari details has been attached to the body using the korvai technique. The elaborate, Persian-style border is balanced by a simple body sprinkled with sakura (cherry blossom) motifs. In true Japanese style, this handloom creation is both rich and refined.

 

 

India’s first handloom reversible korvai silk saree 

Since we patented the reversible handloom Kanchipuram silk saree decades ago, it has found many avatars season after season. For 2025, we took inspiration from Japanese motifs and embroidery techniques and then went a step further - we used a technique unique to Kanchipuram silks to create the first handloom reversible korvai silk saree.

 Named after the Kantha-style embroidery from Japan, the Shashiko korvai reversible silk saree is a showstopper of a designer silk saree for the festive season. The two-in-one saree features a bottle green body on one side and a deep orange shade on the reverse. Kikyo (bell flower) motifs bloom bright in gold zari. The Japanese embroidery technique that gives the saree its name has been used to ornament the border with flowering vine motifs; on the green side of the saree, the vines are embroidered in pale green silk, while they’re purple on the orange side. The gold zari pallu is illuminated by a panoply of Japanese geometric patterns and sakura motifs. The result is a saree’s connoisseur’s delight! 

Since RmKV was founded in 1924, every festive season has brought new designs and innovations. It’s a testament to the richness of India's handloom traditions that more than 100 years later, our designers and weavers are able to find new techniques, influences and patterns. To us, the festive season goes beyond cultural traditions and seasonal transitions; it’s an opportunity to celebrate the textile lineage we’ve been privileged to inherit.