Four generations.
One loom.
In 1947, the year India became independent, Munir Alam set up a single handloom in the courtyard of his home in Banaras. Today, 77 years later, the maison of Nisa Silk Fab carries 47 master weavers across three ateliers — and the same quiet vow to the silk.
The Alam Family
A single handloom in the courtyard of a Banaras home. 11 sarees sold in the first year.
The atelier grows to seven looms. The maison takes its first bridal commission.
A flagship store opens on the main road. Heritage preservation begins — motifs and dye recipes are catalogued for the first time.
The maison goes online — without leaving the loom. 47 weavers across three ateliers. The youngest is 38.
On the looms of Madanpura
Our main atelier sits on a narrow lane in Madanpura, the weaving quarter of Banaras. Inside, 18 looms are set in two rows, in pits 60 centimeters deep. The weaver sits with his legs below floor level, working the pedals that lift the heddles.
The looms are made of teak and shisham, and most are older than the weavers who work them. Our oldest loom was built in 1932 — it has been in continuous use, except for a six-month restoration in 1998.
A typical day begins at 6am with the call to prayer, and ends at sunset. The atelier is quiet — there is no music, no radio. The only sound is the rhythmic clack of the looms, which after a while becomes a kind of silence.
Visit the Atelier →How a Katan saree is made
The Warp
1,680 threads of pure Katan silk are twisted by hand, then threaded through heddles. A single mis-threaded warp ruins 21 days of work.
The Body
The plain silk grows row by row, the shuttle moving back and forth. A skilled weaver completes 8-12 centimeters per day. The pace is set by the silk.
The Pallu
The decorated end is woven with the kadhwa technique — each motif tied by hand, thread by thread, from memory. A thumb-sized motif takes 3 hours.
The Cutting
The saree is lifted from the loom and laid flat. The weaver examines every centimeter in daylight, marking imperfections with a white thread.
The Dye
Natural dyes — indigo, madder, marigold — are applied in three baths. Each bath deepens the color. The process is slow and irreversible.
The Finishing
Hand-stitched fall, hand-knotted pico, and the final pressing. The saree is wrapped in muslin and packed with a real-zari authenticity card.
We do not make silk for the season.
We make silk for the shelf —
for the daughter, and her daughter.
Come to Banaras
We offer private atelier visits by appointment, weekdays only. The visit includes a tour of the looms, a conversation with a master weaver, and a private viewing of one-of-one archival pieces.
Schedule a Visit →