What is Silk When we hear the word ‘silk’, we often think of smooth and shiny silk fabrics. Technically speaking, silk does not refer to a fabric, but to the silk fibers that are used to make these fabrics. Silk is a natural protein fiber. Natural means that it is derived from animals, such as moths, spiders, and even a type of clam. While many insects are capable of producing silk, the silk we are most familiar with is made by the larvae of moths, also known as caterpillars. To be even more specific, silk fibers are found in the cocoons of these moth larvae. The larvae make cocoons to grow in before they pupate and emerge as moths. These cocoons are each made of one long silk fiber that the larvae produce using their saliva. On average, a strand of silk from a cocoon ranges anywhere between 300 to 900 meters long. However, a silk fiber can measure up to 1600 meters in length. To put that into perspective, that’s about five times the length of the Eiffel Tower. Types of silk Mulberry silk It is known for its smoothness, softness, lustre and drape. Mulberry silk is the largest among the four types of silks produced in India. Mulberry silk comes from the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which solely feeds on the leaves of mulberry plant. These silkworms are completely domesticated and reared indoors. More than 90% of mulberry silk is contributed by the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir. Kanncheepuram, Pochampally, Mysore Silks, Kashmir crepes & carpets, Dharmavaram, Murshidabad are some of the examples of Mulberry silks. Tassar Silk Tasar (Tussah) is copperish colour, coarse silk mainly used for furnishings and interiors. It is less lustrous than mulberry silk, but has its own feel and appeal. Tassar silk is second largest silk produced in India. Oak Tasar: It is a finer variety of tasar generated by the silkworm, Antheraea proyeli J. in India which feed on natural food plants of oak, found in abundance in the sub-Himalayan belt of India covering the states of Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir. China is the major producer of oak tasar in the world and this comes from another silkworm which is known as Antheraea pernyi. Tropical Tasar: Tasar silk is generated by the silkworm, Antheraea mylitta which mainly thrive on the food plants Asan and Arjun. The rearings are conducted in nature on the trees in the open. In India, tasar silk is mainly produced in the states of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Orissa, besides Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Tasar culture is the main stay for many a tribal community in India. Eri Silk Also known as Endi or Errandi, Eri is a multivoltine silk spun from open-ended cocoons, unlike other varieties of silk. Eri silk is the product of the domesticated silkworm, Philosamia ricini that feeds mainly on castor leaves. Ericulture is a household activity practiced mainly for protein rich pupae, a delicacy for the tribal. Resultantly, the eri cocoons are open-mouthed and are spun. The silk is used indigenously for preparation of chaddars (wraps) for own use by these tribals. In India, this culture is practiced mainly in the north-eastern states and Assam. It is also found in Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. Spun silk is known for its softness, moderate sheen and comfort. Muga Assam is the only state producing Muga silk. It is nicknamed as golden silk owing to its golden sheen and is the costliest of silks. It is obtained from semi-domesticated multivoltine silkworm, Antheraea assamensis. These silkworms feed on the aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu plants and are reared on trees similar to that of tasar. Mekhela Chador is pride of Assam and is an exclusive product found almost in every household of the state of Assam. Sarees, Neck ties, fashionable products like Umbrellas, Shoes, Lamp shades are made using this golden silk. On experimental Muga silk threads are used in place of Zari in sarees The Tasar, Eri and Muga silk are non mulberry silks which are wild silks and also known as Vanya Silks. Properties of Silk Elasticity -Silk is fairly absorbent. Water weakens the fibers, though, so treat your silk carefully when you’re washing it. Absorbency - If they’re treated well, silk clothes are good at keeping their shape. Silk is flexible and has some elasticity. Thermal regulation - Silk’s good at maintaining your body temperature which means it can help you feel cool in hot weather and warm in the cold. Shine - Silk fibers are smooth and straight, unlike wool, for example, which has a scaliness you’ll see if you put it under a microscope. Elegance - Silk is Smooth, Soft, Lustrous, Light weight & resilient making it most elegant textile fibre. Comfort - Silk has moisture absorbing as well as insulating, is moderately warm during winters and cool in summers, making it the most comfortable fiber Strength - Although Silk is the strongest natural fibre, stronger that steel, loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. Handle with delicacy while washing. Draped - Silk possess excellent drapability along with added advantage of its suppleness & pliability suits for rich draperies such as sarees & curtains. Silk Mark