Mysore silk is a type of mulberry silk produced in Mysore (Mysuru), Karnataka in India. Karnataka itself produces 9000 metric tons of mulberry silk which is almost 45% of the country’s total production. It is called mulberry silk since the silkworms are fed with mulberry leaves.
Silk in Karnataka is mainly created in the Mysore region. This particular silk is a patent registered product under the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Limited (KSIC) which is a Government of Karnataka public sector undertaking.
It is said that the origins can be traced back to the 18th century during the reign of Tipu Sultan who brought in sericulture by importing silkwoms and expertise from both China and Bengal. This was then established in Chennapattana and Srirangapattana. British also tried to revive this by establishing a silk factory in Kengeri in 1866.
The silk weaving factory in Mysore was finally established in 1912 by Sri Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar who was the Maharaja of Mysore province. In the beginning, it was meant for supply of silk fabrics to meet the requirements of the royal family and for some ornamental fabrics for the armed forces.
The unit started with 10 looms growing to 138 looms over a period of time. The looms and all the machines required for preparation of the silk were imported. This was a first for India at that time. After India’s independence, this was taken over by the Mysore State Sericulture Department. The factory was then handed over to Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Limited.
KSIC is the only organisation in the country which handles the entire silk production from reeling of cocoons to weaving of pure silk fabric with different shades and designs. They use 100% pure gold zari. This ensures that the zari does not turn black even after long usage. KSIC stamps the sarees with a unique code number and hologram as identification marks on each of its sarees.
Mysore Silk is different because it is made from the finest quality natural silk yarn obtained from the cocoons reared in old Mysore areas of Karnataka. This has a special geographical flavour to it and it has a special lustre. The texture is made out of 26-28 denier with a high speed twist. This results in a fine texture and a natural sheen. The intricate gold and silver zari borders are made with traditional craftsmanship.
Their products include silk sarees, shirts, kurtas, silk dhotis and neckties.
Process
Mysore Silk factory is located in the heart of Mysore and can be visited during their operational hours. Apparently the main source of silk is from Ramanagara district in Karnataka. Silk cocoons are picked from this market by KSIC officials and then sent to their factory for production. The silk cocoons are boiled to extract the threads which is then converted to thread rolls. The process of silk reeling is highly specilised and it requires precision, skilled labour and specialised machinery. The extracted silk is processed into a yearn suitable for weaving. This is sent to the weaving factory in Mysore. Silk threads are dyed in vibrant colours. This is then weaved into sarees using both traditional and modern techniques. Visitors can actually see the traditional weaving methods as well as the modern weaving machines, the skilled artisans as well as the silk thread preparation. They can observe the reeling, dyeing, process, yarn preparation and weaving process.
It is also possible to purchase the authentic sarees directly from the factory. This ensures government certification of genuine products and fixed pricing.
Precautions for washing
- Wash silks in soft water
- Use good neutral soap ideally solution
- Wash in lukewarm water by kneading & squeezing
- Rinse in warm water to remove traces of soap
- Squeeze lightly by hand to remove excess water.
- Dry it flat in the shade (never in direct sunlight.
Precautions for ironing
- Use only low heat
- Never sprinkle water before ironing
- Ideally iron on the reverse side.
Precautions for storing
- It should be stored in a clean and dry place
- If stored for long, periodically remove it and give it an airing and brush if you see dust.
- It should not in direct contact with wood or steel.
- Wrap it in cotton cloth to avoid discolouring.
- It should also be protected from insects, dust, moisture and sunlight.
Varieties
- Plain silk sarees with very little embellishments
- Temple border styles with specific motifs which are based on South Indian heritage
- Contrast where border and pallu differ in colour from the body for maximum impact
- Special bridal collections which have heavy zari work are woven with intricate patterns. This has become indispensable in weddings.
- Lightweight variants of Mysore silk are available, normally crepe variety. This is suitable for casual wear or professional wear.
Mysore silk has Indian culture and heritage written all over it. Having originated due to the patronage of the royal Wodeyar dynasty in Karnataka, it was meant for the elite. It showed elegance and was considered to be a status symbol.They have become part of the festival gatherings and for functions in Karnataka and elsewhere in India.
Source: https://ksic.karnataka.gov.in/
To know more about sarees (saris) and how to wear them, refer to this blog: https://divamani.in/2026/10/04/sari/
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