Silk is a natural, lustrous fabric prized for its beauty for thousands of years. While silk originated in China, India has developed its own rich silk traditions, particularly in Varanasi (Banaras) where Banarasi silk weaving has flourished for centuries. Indian silk, including the famous Varanasi silk and Bengaluru silk production, represents some of the world's finest silk craftsmanship.

Legend has it that around 2640 B.C., Lei Zi, Emperor Huang Di’s wife, discovered silk when a cocoon fell into her cup of hot tea. As she idly played with the cocoon, it unwound into a fine thread. That fine thread was silk and Lei Zi came to be known as The Lady of the Silkworm.

Silk may have been discovered even earlier in China, as some silk fragments have been dated to before 3000 B.C. For a long time China was the only country which produced silk fabrics. However, India developed its own silk traditions, particularly in Varanasi where Banarasi silk weaving became renowned for its intricate patterns and superior quality. Today, Indian silk production, especially Varanasi silk and Bengaluru silk mills, represents some of the world's most prestigious silk manufacturing.

Chinese immigrants are said to have brought silk worms to Korea around 200 BC. And, around 550 AD, two Nestorian monks brought silkworm eggs to the court of Emperor Justinian in Rome by hiding them in their hollowed staffs.

At the bottom of all this intrigue and beauty is a small moth of the Lepidoptera order belonging to the Bombycidae family. One species of this moth, the Bombyx Mori, is responsible for the vast majority of the silk currently produced and is cultivated under controlled conditions in silk farms or factories.

Once hatched, the Bombyx Mori worms are placed on a bed of mulberry leaves and each worm devours about 30,000 times its weight and grows from about a quarter an inch to about 3 inches in 30 to 45 days. The mature worm then spins its cocoon, made up of one continuous strand of silk filament 700 to 1000 yards long.

Except for a few kept aside for the next generation of Bombyx Mori, the rest of the cocoons, once mature, are heated and then the cocoon can be stored.

To start production, the cocoon is moistened to loosen the filament. The filament is thinner than hair but very strong. Any fabric woven with a single strand of silk filament will be very sheer and see-through. Usually, five to eight filaments of silk yarn are reeled together on a spool to increase the thickness of the strand.

Several strands of silk are then twisted together, in a process called throwing, to make yarn for weaving. The gummy substance, sericin, is then removed by boiling the silk in soap and water, leaving it soft and lustrous. The sericin may also be removed after the fabric is woven. In India, they beat woven raw silk with sticks to remove serinin and make the silk soft.

The yarn is then twisted and separated into warp and weft yarns and rolled into hanks. The warp yarn has more twists than the weft yarn as it needs to be stronger. The yarn is ready to be bleached and/or dyed and made ready for weaving.

Initially woven on handlooms, the silk yarn is strong enough to be woven on the latest shuttle-less looms.

Welcome to Catania Silks, where we celebrate the finest Indian silk traditions. Our authentic Varanasi silk and Banarasi silk fabrics represent the pinnacle of Indian silk craftsmanship. Silk is by far the strongest of all natural fibers and has excellent elasticity and resilience. It is also very light, soft and smooth and takes dyes extremely well, making it perfect for traditional Indian silk sarees and contemporary fashion.

Our premium Indian silk fabrics resist mildew and damage by moths. They are non-flammable, though not fire-retardant. Silk can absorb moisture but loses some of its strength. Therefore, it is best dry-cleaned. All these qualities make our Varanasi silk and Banarasi silk fabrics highly desired for elegant Indian silk sarees, traditional wear, and luxury home décor. Our Bengaluru silk mill ensures each piece meets the highest standards of Indian silk craftsmanship.