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Have you ever been drawn to a beautiful saree and wondered if it's handloom or powerloom? They might look similar at first glance - but they’re worlds apart when it comes to how they're made, what they mean, and what they stand for.
This blog is your guide to understanding the real difference between the two - and why it’s more than just a fabric choice.
A handloom is a manually operated loom, powered entirely by the weaver’s hands and feet - no electricity, no motors, just pure craftsmanship. Each saree woven on a handloom is a slow, intentional process that takes days or even weeks to complete.
In India, handloom weaving has been practiced for generations. It isn’t just a job - it's an inheritance. Families in places like Banaras, Bhagalpur, Kanchipuram, and Chanderi carry forward these traditions, with skills passed down like heirlooms.
When you wear a handloom saree, you’re quite literally draping yourself in legacy.
A powerloom, on the other hand, is machine-operated and electrically powered. It automates the weaving process and can produce dozens of sarees in a single day. Powerloom sarees may mimic traditional patterns, but they lack the soul and irregular beauty of something made by hand.
Powerloom fabrics are often mass-produced and not use 100% natural fibers. Most times, they’re blended with synthetics like polyester or viscose to cut costs and increase durability, but at the expense of authenticity and breathability.
Not sure which one you’re looking at? Here are a few ways to spot the difference - like a textile detective:
Look for irregularities. Handloom fabric often has minor variations - uneven threads, tiny slubs, or a slightly different weave on one end. These are signs of a real human touch. On handloom fabrics with block printing, like Dabu or Bagru, you’ll often notice slight overlaps or gaps in motifs - because they’re stamped by hand. You might even see the faint pencil or chalk sketches underneath a Madhubani painting - a quiet reminder of the artisan behind it.
Texture Tells a Story: Handloom fabrics have a soft, breathable feel. Each thread carries a natural unevenness that adds character. Powerloom fabrics tend to feel overly smooth, plasticky, or stiff because they often contain synthetic blends. Pure silk or pure cotton is rare in machine-made fabrics due to cost.
The Reverse Side Matters: Flip the saree. On handwoven sarees, you’ll see the same patterns mirrored on the reverse with neat threads. Powerloom ones usually have fuzzy backs, loose threads, or embroidery glued or stitched only on the top layer.
Check the Edges: Handloom sarees have woven selvedges - finished edges that won’t fray. In powerloom ones, you might find raw or machine-stitched edges.
Ask the seller. At NRITARA, we proudly mention “handloom” on every product where it's used. If it isn’t labeled, don’t hesitate to ask.
Choosing handloom is more than a style preference - it’s a conscious decision that supports heritage, people, and the planet. Here’s why:
Every handloom saree is a result of centuries of culture. The buti on a Banarasi, the motifs on a Chanderi, the texture of a Kosa silk - these aren’t just design choices. They carry regional stories, religious symbols, and personal expressions of the weaver.
By choosing handloom, you play a small role in preserving this intangible cultural heritage. You help ensure these art forms don’t vanish into history.
Handloom production is inherently low-impact. No noisy factories, no electricity bills, no emissions. Just one loom, a lot of patience, and skilled hands.
Natural dyes, pure yarns, and organic materials are often used in handwoven textiles. So when you invest in a handloom saree, you’re investing in slow fashion that respects both people and the planet.
Behind every handwoven saree is a person - and often, a family - depending on that loom for survival. The shift to fast fashion has left many weavers struggling, with their children often forced to look for work outside the craft.
Your support gives them a reason to keep weaving, and shows that handmade still has value. It’s not charity - it’s fair trade with a soul.
Machine-made fabrics can never replicate the soul, the organic feel, and the character of a handloom weave. No two handwoven sarees are the same - and that’s where their magic lies.
You’re not just buying a saree. You’re buying a piece of art that no one else in the world has. That’s not just fashion - that’s luxury.
So next time you're saree shopping, take a moment to flip the fabric, feel its texture, look at the motifs. Ask yourself: was this made with intention, or efficiency?
Because every time you choose handloom, you're choosing to slow down. You're choosing to support Indian craftsmanship, create impact, and wear something that matters.
At NRITARA, we don’t just sell sarees—we celebrate the people, practices, and purpose behind every piece.
🧡 Explore our handloom collection - woven with love, culture, and care.