Banaras, Uttar Pradesh

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Originally produced by the Nawabs of Oudh, Jamdani weaves are still practiced in two main centers in Uttar Pradesh, Banaras being one of them. If the word seems familiar, but you aren't entirely sure what we're talking about, Jamdanis are thin textured muslin, with floral, animal and bird motifs woven into the loom. In Banaras, the craftspeople use gold thread, in addition to bleached and unbleached white thread, and still follow the traditional Jamdani pit looms to form designs. As for everything else Banaras is famous for, try your luck with Banarasi Silks and Brocades, since it is one of the most rich weaving craft centers of India.