Radhikaraje Gaekwad celebrates Ganeshotsav in handwoven Paithani saree

Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the Maharani of the erstwhile princely state of Baroda, wore a handwoven silk Paithani saree to celebrate the Ganeshotsav festival. The garment, created by Label Arka, took five and a half months to complete on the loom.

The saree is crafted from mulberry silk and features seven distinct colors achieved through natural dyeing processes. The rust orange fabric includes a tissue tawa pallu decorated with five-petalled floral motifs and muniya birds.

The Paithani weave carries a historical legacy originating from the royal courts of Paithan. While traditional versions once utilized silk from China and local zari, modern weavers typically use silk from Bangalore and zari from Surat to maintain the heritage of this Maharashtrian textile.