The Garad Saree is one of Bengal’s most distinctive silk textiles, traditionally associated with the historic silk weaving centres of Murshidabad district in West Bengal. The favourable climate and fertile alluvial soil of the region supported the cultivation of mulberry plants, whose leaves are used to feed silkworms (Bombyx mori) that produce the fine silk fibre. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Murshidabad silk was widely traded by European companies including the British, Dutch and French trading houses, making the region an important node in the global silk trade. The saree forms part of the broader Murshidabad silk tradition, a weaving heritage that developed under the patronage of the Mughal courts when the region became an important centre for silk production and trade.
Garad sarees are typically woven from pure mulberry silk, characterized by their elegant off-white or natural cream body paired with distinctive red borders and motifs. The word Garad itself refers to undyed or natural silk, reflecting the traditional aesthetic where the body of the saree remains free from dye while the borders and pallus carry subtle woven patterns. The weaving process involves silk yarn preparation, dyeing of border yarns, warping and handloom weaving using traditional looms.
Historically, Garad sarees have held a special place in Bengali cultural life and are often worn during religious ceremonies, festivals and auspicious occasions, particularly during Durga Puja. Their simplicity and purity of colour symbolize ritual sanctity and cultural refinement. The weaving communities of Murshidabad continue to preserve this heritage silk tradition through generations of artisanal knowledge.
From the BONGONIKETAN Studio
At BONGONIKETAN, we collaborate with weaving clusters and artisan families in the Murshidabad, working closely with skilled weavers and master artisans who continue the traditional craft of Garad silk weaving.
Through these collaborations we develop a range of silk textiles including Garad sarees, yardage, loincloths and related silk products in traditional and contemporary desgin, preserving the elegance and simplicity that define this historic weaving tradition. Each piece is created through careful handloom weaving, beginning from silk yarn preparation and dyeing of the borders to the final weaving and finishing of the textile.
Depending on the intricacy of the woven motifs and border designs, the creation of a Garad saree may take a minimum of 3 to more days to complete, as the weaving requires careful handling of fine silk yarns and precise loom work. Through our partnerships with artisan communities, BONGONIKETAN aims to support the continuation of Murshidabad’s historic silk weaving traditions while presenting the understated elegance of Garad silk to contemporary audiences.
GI Location: Murshidabad District, West Bengal, India
GI Registration Year: 2020
GI Source: Geographical Indications Registry, Intellectual Property India, Government of India
