Rectangular Cocoon Silk Scarf made by weavers of Bhagalpur district in Bihar state of India has found its way to many a celebrity wardrobe. The silk looks raw, yet extremely elegant. The fabric is looks ore like coarse cotton, rather than shining polyester like silk. The subdued colors of these cocoon silk scarves further add to quiet elegance. Cocoon silk is reeled from the cocoon, which contains its original gum or serin. Silk noil has a dull finish and is made from the shorter fibers separated from the longer ones during the process of combing. Most of the villages of Bhagalpur in Bihar state of India are continuing their traditional family business of silk making using primitive method. It's true that some modernization in processing is being introduced these days but Bhagalpur Silk is famous for its traditional process. Normally the cocoons are exposed to heat & sun-dried. For some quality, cocoons are immersed into boiling water bath to soften the gum (sericin) before reeling. The reeler takes filaments from several cocoons in order to form raw silk thread. Certain variety of silk (e.g., Eri, Ghicha) is spun instead of reeling. Fabrics are woven mainly on Handloom. However, certain qualities are also woven on powerloom these days.
Scarves in India have a significant place and traditional value. They are significant because they are considered a protector of women's integrity. All women's outfit in India is considered incomplete without a long scarf. These are an integral part of the salwar kurta, lehenga, and churidar. With cultural exposure from Europe, these scarves found their way to the western wardrobes too.
