3 minutes of readingNew DelhiJul 13, 2026 04:58 pm IST
Nita Ambani, who was ranked number one on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list, opted for an exquisite Tanchoi Banarasi silk saree by Swadesh to receive the special award. The Chairperson of Reliance Industries was honored for her “visionary leadership, long-standing commitment to institution building and inclusive development” and for the fact that, under her leadership, Dependence The Foundation touched more than a hundred million lives across India, including 29 million children.
The blush pink Tanchoi Banarasi was inspired by Varanasi’s Gulab Holi, the holy city where fragrant rose petals fill the air in a celebration of devotion and joy. On Instagram, the brand shared details of her look: “The intricate full-length floral jaal, accented with elegantly woven floral buttons in soft ivory and antique gold, creates a depth and luminous glow characteristic of the celebrated Tanchoi weave, a nearly reversible weaving technique renowned for its refined finish.”
Handwoven over two months by master artisans Arushi Lohia and Krishna Lohia, the sari was an elegant tribute to the cultural heritage and extraordinary craftsmanship of Banaras, carried out with finesse and enduring dedication.
He Ambani The matriarch paired the five meters with a matching blouse with a sweetheart neckline, accessorizing the look with a diamond pendant, solitaire studs, a tennis bracelet and rings. A neatly tied bun with roses tucked in and a bright red bindi completed her elegant elegance.
More about banarasi
Roli Mehra, founder of Roliana-Home of Benarasi Sarees, told indianexpress.com that Varanasi’s pivotal position on the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas and art, introducing Chinese silk and Persian designs to its looms. The weavers used specialized techniques such as Jamdani, known for its labor-intensive details, and Kinkhab, famous for its luxurious use of gold and silver threads. Mehra said these fabrics were so luxurious that they were called “fabrics of the gods.”
Mehra said the process of weaving a Banarasi sari begins with the careful selection and dyeing of silk threads, which are dried and then loaded onto the handloom. There, expert weavers use various techniques like Kadiyal, Meenakari, Tanchoi and Kadhwa to intricately weave the silk threads.
According to her, Tanchoi silk sarees are made using a meticulous technique involving single or double warp and multi-coloured wefts and are known for their soft texture and good drape, due to the satin weave. One of the most important qualities of Tanchoi silk is the complete absence of long, loose floats on the back of the fabric, as all the threads are intertwined within the fabric itself.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information in the public domain and/or from the experts we spoke to.