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Chanderi Fabric, a GI tagged handicrafts product of Madhya Pradesh

Photo: Manishontop02 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Handicrafts · Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi Fabric

GI Registered Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts
GI numberGI-59
Typical price₹2,500 - ₹50,000
Verified cooperativesChanderi Handloom Weavers Association
StateMadhya Pradesh

About Chanderi Fabric

Chanderi Fabric is the lightweight, sheer handwoven cloth from Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh. It is woven from silk and cotton, either separately or in a blend, and it has a soft, glass-like transparency and a delicate sheen. Chanderi saris, dupattas and dress materials are worn for festivals and weddings, and designers use the fabric for summer garments.

Heritage and place

Chanderi's weaving heritage goes back many centuries, and the town's weavers once supplied royal courts. Communities of weavers, many of them Muslim families and Koshti communities, have kept the looms running. The GI protects the traditional fabric from powerloom imitations, which imitate motifs but lack the fabric's fine texture and drape.

How it is made

Weavers use fine yarn, cotton for the warp and silk or zari for the weft, and weave on handlooms, often with extra weft motifs woven into the fabric. Traditional motifs include coins, peacocks, flowers and geometric shapes. The cloth is then washed and finished lightly to preserve its transparency. A plain Chanderi can be woven in a couple of days, while a heavily patterned one may take a week or longer.

Registry record

Chanderi Fabric is listed in this catalogue as GI-59, a Geographical Indication tagged product of Madhya Pradesh in the handicrafts category. The name is legally protected: only producers within the notified region may sell under it. Confirm the entry in the official GI Journal before relying on it commercially.

◈ How to spot a fake Chanderi Fabric

What to check

Hold the fabric to the light: real Chanderi is sheer with a subtle shine and a soft, dry hand. Handloom pieces show slight irregularities in the weave and neatly woven motifs, with short thread ends on the reverse. Check for the handloom mark and the Chanderi GI label. Buy from weavers' cooperatives, Madhya Pradesh emporia and reputable dealers, and be cautious about very low prices.

  • Sheer, see-through texture created by combining raw silk over fine cotton yarn. Replicas feel scratchy like polyester nets.

Price to expect

Genuine Chanderi Fabric typically sells in the range of ₹2,500 - ₹50,000. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Chanderi Handloom Weavers Association, or government emporia and cooperatives in Madhya Pradesh.

Catalogue record

Catalogue record: GI-59 · Madhya Pradesh · reviewed

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Chanderi Fabric?

This catalogue lists Chanderi Fabric as GI-59. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Chanderi Fabric made?

Chanderi Fabric is produced in Madhya Pradesh, in the handicrafts category of this catalogue.

Can Chanderi Fabric legally be made outside Madhya Pradesh?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Madhya Pradesh may legally sell goods under the name “Chanderi Fabric”.

What does genuine Chanderi Fabric cost?

Genuine Chanderi Fabric typically sells in the range of ₹2,500 - ₹50,000. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Chanderi Fabric?

Sheer, see-through texture created by combining raw silk over fine cotton yarn. Replicas feel scratchy like polyester nets.

Where should I buy genuine Chanderi Fabric?

Look for authorised sellers such as Chanderi Handloom Weavers Association, or government emporia and cooperatives in Madhya Pradesh.