Kanchipuram saris are woven so the border and body are locked together, so the joint holds even if the sari tears

world cultures & travelWikipedia

Kanchipuram saris are woven so the border and body are locked together, so the joint holds even if the sari tears

the gist

Kanchipuram silk saris, also called Kanjeevaram, are made in the Kanchipuram region of Tamil Nadu from pure mulberry silk and zari. They are worn as bridal and special-occasion saris across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In a genuine sari, the body and border are woven separately and then interlocked, so that even if the sari tears the border will not detach. Designs often draw on temple architecture, with temple borders, checks, stripes and floral motifs.

how it works

Two shuttles are used at once, one per side, and the border is woven as a separate section that is then interlocked with the body. This interlocking is what makes the joint so strong.

so what

Kanchipuram saris are one of the clearest examples of a textile whose structure is part of its value, not just its look. The region's weaving is sustained by thousands of families, and a geographical indication registration has protected the name since 2005–06.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · text CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kamal Venkit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

source: Wikipedia ↗

historyWikipediaclassic1336–1565 · Karnataka, India

Hampi was once one of the world's largest cities, until its Vijayanagara capital was destroyed in 1565

the gist

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, with more than 1,600 surviving remains spread over 4,100 hectares. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Travellers from Persia and Portugal described it as a prosperous, wealthy and grand city with temples, markets and farms along the Tungabhadra River. By 1500 it was estimated to be the world's second-largest city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at the time. In 1565 a coalition of Muslim sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, its capital was conquered and destroyed, and the city was left in ruins. Hampi remains a religious centre, with the active Virupaksha Temple at its heart.

how it works

The city was built around a fortified core with temples, markets and water structures along the river, supplied by an extensive network of roads and waterworks. When the empire fell, the city was not rebuilt, so its stone monuments were left standing.

so what

Hampi shows how quickly a great city can vanish after a military defeat, and how a ruined capital can remain sacred. Its ruins give historians a view of medieval South Asia that few other sites can match.

fun fact

The name Hampi comes from Pampa, an old name for the Tungabhadra River.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · text CC BY-SA 4.0

Image: Wikimedia Commons

source: Wikipedia ↗

2 min

politicsshortCNA2:01

False allegations about Singapore’s hand in Indonesia’s markets and a made-up meeting

from CNA

CNA Verify has found close to 400 posts pushing falsehoods tying Singapore to Indonesia’s stock market rout and to a secret meeting that never took place. Together, they drew nearly 12 million views, and some were circulated by accounts that appeared to be working in concert, across multiple social media platforms.

Here’s how the disinformation campaign targeting Singapore was uncovered.

on YouTube: CNA ↗