What is Tasar Silk?

Table of Contents☰

About Tasar Silk:

It is a type of wild silk, which is made from silkwormsthat feed on plants like Asan and Arjun.
People from different parts of India call it tusaar, tusser, tushar, tusa, tassore, and tasar etc.
Producers:

o Globally, it is produced in China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

o India is the second-largest producer of tussar silk and the exclusive producer of Indian tussar (also known as tropical tussar), which is largely tended to by tribals.

o In India, it is primarily produced in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chattisgarh. Currently, Jharkhand is one of the largest producers.

Features:

o It is famous and valued for its natural golden color. The silk can also be found in shades of brown, cream, and orange.

The color is caused by the production process due to the presence of carotenoids in the silk.

o It is known for its distinctive texture, which is often described as being ‘rough’ or ‘crinkly.’

This is due to the fact that the fibers of tasar silk are shorter than those of other silks, such as mulberry silk.
As a result, tasar silk fabrics are less smooth and have a more uneven surface.

o Tasar silk fabrics have a characteristic weave that is different from other types of silk.

The threads of tasar silk are often thicker than those of other silks, and they are woven in a way that creates a ‘checkerboard’ pattern.

o It is lightweight yet surprisingly strong, with a luxuriously soft feel often compared to that of cashmere or velvet.

o It does not retain moisture, and this quality makes it a delight to wear in warmer climates of the world.

o Tasar silk is more porous, which makes it more wearable.

Q1: What is weaving?

Weaving is the production of fabric by interlacing two sets of yarns so that they cross each other, normally at right angles, usually accomplished with a hand- or power-operated loom.

Source:‘khand’s in R-Day parade showcases skill of tribal women in Tasar silk production