Fabric to Saree- Designing with Kerala Mural painting
1. Introduction:
I absolutely love designing with fabrics. The market offers an endless variety of beautiful fabrics, along with countless embellishment options such as laces, kundans, decorative trims, and other accessories that bring every design to life. Each project gives me the freedom to experiment with different combinations and create something unique. The most rewarding part is watching a simple piece of plain fabric transform into an elegant, handcrafted saree that reflects creativity and tradition.
Here is one such saree I designed using Chanderi fabric I bought from Ramachandrapura market, a very famous cotton market in Bengaluru.
The saree designed
Planning the Saree Design
I had a beautiful brocade fabric in my collection that I felt would make an elegant border. Instead of using it as a whole piece, I decided to cut it into lace strips and incorporate them into the saree design. To complement the rich brocade, I selected a beige Chanderi fabric as the base. The subtle woven lines on the Chanderi fabric give it a graceful, traditional look, making it the perfect canvas for Kerala Mural painting. The combination of the classic Chanderi texture and the vibrant mural motifs was exactly the look I had envisioned for this handcrafted saree.
Designing the Saree
The first step was to transform the brocade fabric into decorative lace. I carefully cut the brocade into long strips and stitched them to create elegant borders for the saree. Instead of letting the remaining fabric go to waste, I used it to design the pallu, giving the saree a perfectly coordinated look.
Once the brocade lace was ready, I attached it neatly along the saree border.Along the border I attached small gotapatti border I had. I then traced Kerala Mural-inspired floral motifs on both the border and the pallu. Since I wanted the design to look elegant rather than overcrowded, I kept the saree body simple. I chose two different floral motifs and arranged them with approximately a 10-inch gap between each one, allowing the beauty of the Chanderi fabric to stand out while maintaining a balanced and traditional appearance.
The Kerala Mural motifs
Why I chose Kerala Mural motifs:
Choosing the Colour Palette
Traditional Kerala Mural paintings are known for their vibrant yet harmonious colour palette, featuring shades of yellow, orange, green, white, and black. Interestingly, the brocade fabric I had chosen already contained most of these colours, making it a perfect match for the mural-inspired design.
Since the brocade itself has rich zari work, I wanted the overall saree to have a graceful and elegant appearance rather than a flashy one. So, I avoided adding any extra bright colours. Although Kerala Mural art is known for its vivid hues, when combined with the subtle beige Chanderi fabric and the rich brocade border, the colours blend beautifully to create a balanced, sophisticated, and understated look.
The Finished Saree
The saree when draped
Overall Appearance of the Saree
The finished saree has a timeless elegance that beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fabric design. The soft beige Chanderi fabric provides a subtle and graceful base, while the rich brocade border and pallu add a touch of luxury without overpowering the overall look. The Kerala Mural-inspired floral motifs enhance the saree with vibrant yet balanced colours, creating a striking contrast against the neutral background.
The carefully spaced floral motifs give the saree a clean and uncluttered appearance, allowing each design to stand out on its own. The coordinated brocade border, matching pallu, and mural artwork come together seamlessly, making the saree look refined and sophisticated. The overall design reflects the beauty of Kerala’s traditional mural art while maintaining a lightweight, elegant, and wearable style that is perfect for festive occasions, cultural events, and traditional celebrations.
Styling Ideas:
Though temple and antique jewellaries go well with this saree, my suggestion is beautiful terracota jewels.
The terracota jewellery with the saree
