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India's Distinctive Tussar Silk - Kosa Silk

Kosa silk is a special type of tussar silk. It is an unexampled epitome of delicacy, rich texture, and Natural impression.  the fabric is cooler and breathable, which makes kosa Favourable in warmer parts of the country. 
The signature of kosa silk is the dull golden brownish texture.  However, you can also find the natural sheds of dark honey, fawn, orange, pale golden, and cream. They are also dyed naturally with natural ingredients.

 Origin
 The word Kosa is derived from Sanskrit which means silk. A type of fine silk is created by the larva of small silkworms drawn from the cocoons on the saja, Arjun, and sal trees. Antheraea mylitta an Indian silkworm is the reason for the kosa silk origin. It is famous because of its shine, softness, and luster. 
Devangan community is the original prominence of products made from kosa silk. The best kosa cocoon precipitation is from Bilaspur, Raigarh, Korba, and chamba towns of Chattisgarh. The community is responsible for the large production of kosa silk with the modern generation stepping in, they are also into other businesses.

Process
 The silk is drawn from the cocoons grown on wild forest trees.  The process of kosa silk is extremely painstaking and the availability of silkworms is rare. Generally, three to five days are taken for a standard kosa silk to manufacture from yarn Extraction to weaving depending upon the number of workers.

Byproduct
Gheecha silk is created from premature cocoons of kosa silk. Sometimes the moth emerges from kosa cocoons and thus, this kind of cocoon is not suitable for the extraction of kosa tendrils. So it is used to produce the Gheecha yarn. The tendrils are forcefully pulled off the surface of the broken kosa fal. This is the byproduct of kosa fal and is commonly used in phera and khapa sarees.

Maintenance 
Milk washing liquid specifically designed for delicate and woolen fabric is used to wash kosa silk with soft water. Rubbing the cloth and sun drying is prohibited. Iron with low medium heat and never iron on folds. For storing, mostly hangers should be used with paper wrapping and the folds of the saree should be changed at few intervals.

Authenticity
The best way to identify the purity of kosa silk is by burning a few threads of the silk fabric.if the bond threads leave a deposit quite uncommon as an ash-like deposit, Which is black and has an unpleasant odor.However, if it leaves an ash-like deposit, then the fabric is considered a combination of either cotton or polyester.

Present day scenario
Kosa silk Is used not only to design ethnic apparel Such as sari, kurtas, and lehengas but in present times western outfits are manufactured.Nowadays furnishings and décor items are also in demand. 

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