The incredible tale behind the world’s most expensive saree

According to the Guinness World Records, the Vivaah Patu is known to be the world’s most expensive saree, priced at an astonishing ₹39.93 crore. This masterpiece features woven recreations of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings and is crafted using gold, silver, and platinum threads. It is further adorned with intricate embellishments of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Taking over a year to complete, the saree has never been worn by any celebrity and is regarded more as a work of art than an outfit.

The Vivaah Patu is not merely about its gold and diamonds; the soul of the saree lies in the woven paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. A total of 11 paintings are brought to life in this single drape, with the most iconic being Galaxy of Musicians. Each figure in the artwork, depicting women in traditional attire playing different musical instruments, is entirely handwoven with gold, silver, and platinum threads. Nothing in this saree is printed.

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In Galaxy of Musicians, Raja Ravi Varma portrayed women from different Indian states, each dressed in her regional attire and playing instruments native to her culture. The painting features a veena player from Kerala, a tabla player from North India, a sarangi from the West, and instruments such as the tanpura, sitar, and dholak. These women are not deities or courtesans, but everyday women representing music, expression, and unity.

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The saree’s creation involved far more than thread and fabric. It incorporates 59.7 grams of gold, 3.913 carats of diamonds, 120 mg of platinum, 5 grams of silver, 2.985 carats of rubies, 55 cents of emerald, 3 cents of yellow sapphire, 14 cents of cat’s eye, 10 cents of topaz, 2 grams of pearls, and 400 mg of coral. Weighing approximately 8 kilograms, the brocade alone showcases 64 colour shades and 10 unique designs.

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With so much intrigue around it, the obvious question is who owns it. This work of art has changed hands twice. The first version was purchased by a Bangalore-based businessman as a gift to his wife for their 10th wedding anniversary. The second version, costing ₹40 lakh, was custom-made in 2009 for a Kuwait-based businessman who chose to remain anonymous.

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At nearly 8 kilograms in weight, many wonder whether the saree can actually be worn, especially with so many navratna stones embedded in it. The answer is yes. The Vivaah Patu can be draped just like any other bridal silk saree. The paintings are not stiff or ornamental but are seamlessly woven into the fabric, allowing it to flow gracefully when worn.

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