Banarasi Silk Brocades by Weaver Mohammad Yusuf from Uttar Pradesh, India

Hi! I am Mohammad Yusuf, a Banarasi saree weaver. I was born on August 11, 1983, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. My father’s name is Mohammad Iliyas. I am not an educated person, but I have a good knowledge of weaving of Banarasi sarees. This is our traditional work, and I have learned it from my father. My whole family is engaged in the craft of making suits, sarees, and dupattas.

I make all sarees on the handloom. It takes about 15 to 20 days to complete the sari. Designers make designs on paper and I weave these designs in sarees. My elder brother Mohammad Mobin is a famous designer in this field. In 2006-2007, he received a national award for his designs in Banarasi sarees. I mostly weave his designs in my sarees.

I weave different types of silk sarees like Katan silk sarees, Muga silk sarees, Tussar silk sarees, Dupion silk sarees, and Musrised cotton sarees. I have mastered making Jamawar silk sarees and Tanchoi silk sarees.

I have regularly participated in the Silk Fab exhibition organized by National Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NHDC). I am a regular participant in Surajkund International Crafts Mela, Faridabad. I have also exhibited my products in Toshali National Crafts Mela in Bhubaneswar, Taj Mahotsav in Agra, and Dilli Haat in Delhi.

I am a member of Anmol Silk Handloom Co-operative Society Limited. This society is running a training program for those who are interested in learning the art of weaving of silk sarees, thus making them self-reliant. I want more people to come forward and learn the art of weaving.