Uppada Silk

Classic Uppada Sarees for the Traditional Souls

Uppada sarees are silk sarees that originate from a beach town of the same name in Andhra Pradesh. They are woven in the Uppada Jamdani technique, which was brought to the beach town in the 18th century and took on a local style. 

Uppada sarees, usually made of cotton yarn, are embedded with pure zari - manifesting a sheen - perfect for those who often take the regal route in ethnic fashion. These sarees take the effort of two weavers on a single handloom. 

The weaving process takes a fortnight or even two months to complete, with weavers spending 10 hours a day. The sarees are crafted from the finest zari and Bengaluru silk. It was even given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the government of Andhra Pradesh.

The term Jamdani has Persian roots with ‘Jam’ meaning flower and ‘Dani’ meaning vase. Ancient texts mention this term referring to one of the finest muslin cloths the world has known - so fine that it could pass through a ring. It is, thus, no surprise that this breathtaking fabric was held dear by the royalty of those times.

The Jamani technique saw a rapid decline in the mid-nineteenth century when the British introduced cost-effective machine-made products. It, however, made its way back to prominence in the twentieth century and left a mark in Uppada where it flourished.

Features You Can Find in Uppada Sarees

A sister of sorts to the much-loved soft silk, these sarees do not fail to leave you in awe when you feel the fabric. Learn about a few features that make each of the Uppada sarees in our collection distinct:

• Thread and Zari Motifs

Uppada pattu sarees, as they are also known as in the south, are presented with thread motifs as well as zari motifs. The zari motifs contain half-fine zari like the border and add the richness you would look for in, say, a typical silk or silk cotton saree. The thread motifs tone down the shimmer of the fabric for it to suit non-festive occasions or workplace dress codes.

• Self or Contrast Border

The grandeur of sarees always lies in the border. Uppada silk sarees come in self borders that mask themselves with the rest of the saree to achieve a monotone-like look and contrast borders that stand out with vibrant colours that perfectly complement the rest of the saree. A majority of Uppada sarees have a zari line along with the self or contrast border to keep up its reputation of a royal saree.

• Single or Dual-tone

The dual-tone collection of these sarees from Andhra Pradesh mimic the glamour of Uppada tissue sarees that are known for their rich shiny features. Uppada sarees are not as glossy as the famous tissue sarees but feature a dual-tone in which the shade of the contrast border acts as the secondary tone while the main colour acts as the primary tone.

How to Style Uppada Sarees?

Browse through the many Uppada sarees online on the Nalli shopping website and pick one that suits your taste and lifestyle best. Take a look at a few styling tips that could aid you in resolving any dilemma over what to wear for your next event.

• Morning Evenings

The early morning rays of the sunshine ever so beautifully on Uppada sarees of light hues adorned with zari motifs. The golden rays enrich the saree letting it dazzle in nature’s very own spotlight. Pair this up with delicate earrings, a neckpiece, and matching bangles. Round off the look with a stylish braid and sober makeup.

• Afternoon Functions 

As the sun moves higher and brighter, your choice of colour could inch towards the darker shades on the colour wheel. Find yourself an Uppada saree with a contrast border and blouse to ace your look for family get-togethers and kitty parties. Enhance your look with exquisite jewellery and minimalistic makeup.

• Evening Parties

The unarguable versatility of Uppada sarees makes it a perfect ensemble for not only daylight events but evening parties too. For a classy party look, pair your saree up with a designer blouse and no accessory except a pair of studs. Go all out with your makeup and do not shy away from using some shimmer and a dark lip tint to highlight your best features.

Buy Uppada Sarees Only on Nalli

Myriad saree styles - from raw silk sarees to kanjeevaram - are available at Nalli with the promise of authenticity. The Uppada sarees line is a priced collection that Nalli takes pride in given its thin, soft and fuss-free nature. 

The long haul that goes into making sarees in the Jamdani technique makes them so special and, thus, worth every penny. You can find Uppada pattu sarees with prices on the Nalli website where you can also explore sarees to your doorstep. Start shopping for your favourite sarees on Nalli today.