Black Handloom Mul Cotton Kantha Saree with Multicolour Leaf Embroidery

A black handloom mul cotton saree, embroidered leaf by leaf. Along the pallu, slender sprigs climb the black in green, white, pink, orange, blue and purple thread, no two quite alike. Beside them, rows of Kantha running stitch in green, orange, blue and white travel the length of the border, with small sequins caught between the dashes of thread.

The body is left plain, with small embroidered leaf buttas in orange and blue scattered across it. Black does something no other ground does: every colour laid on it reads a shade brighter.

Handloom mul, embroidered by hand

Mul, also called mulmul, is a fine soft cotton that stays light against the skin through a long warm day. This length is handwoven. The sprigs and the Kantha rows are handwork as well, which is why a stitch line may drift a little, or one leaf sit fuller than the leaf beside it. Those small irregularities are the hands that made it, and we would rather you knew to look for them than wonder about them.

I spent nineteen years designing interiors before I started Ethnic Vastrr. Pieces that take this many hours of a person's time are the reason I changed course.

Length and fit

5.4 metres, free size. This saree comes without a blouse piece.

How to style it

Black takes a blouse in almost any direction. Pull one colour out of the embroidery and commit to it — a solid rust or burnt orange warms the whole drape, a deep peacock blue cools it, olive green sits quietly with the leaves. Antique gold or oxidised silver suits it better than bright polish, and one pair of good jhumkas is plenty. The pallu is doing the talking.

When to wear it

Black with colour on it carries well into evening light, which makes this a Navratri and Golu saree, a sabha saree, a saree for a friend's reception or a family dinner. Cotton is also our usual recommendation for Deepavali, safe around lamps. It gifts well to someone who notices handwork.

Care

Give it a dry clean the first time. After that, hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, on its own. Don't brush or wring the embroidered areas. Line dry in shade — black fades fastest in direct sun. Iron warm from the reverse, and keep the iron off the sequins. Fold it into a soft cotton cloth to store.

See it before you buy

Black is the hardest colour to photograph honestly, and a screen flattens embroidery. WhatsApp us on 7353931190 with a time that suits you and we will video-call you and show you this exact saree, thread and all, before you order.

FAQs

Is this black mul cotton saree handloom?

Yes. The fabric is handloom mul cotton, woven by hand. Mul, also called mulmul, is a fine, soft, lightweight cotton.

Is the embroidery hand done or machine done?

Hand done. Both the leaf sprigs and the Kantha running stitch on this saree are hand embroidery, which is why the stitches carry small natural variations.

What is Kantha stitch?

Kantha is a simple running stitch worked by hand in rows of small dashes. On this saree the rows are stitched in green, orange, blue and white, with small sequins set in between.

What are the motifs on this saree?

Leafy sprigs worked along the pallu in green, white, pink, orange, blue and purple thread, and small single leaf buttas in orange and blue scattered across the body.

How long is the saree, and is a blouse piece included?

The saree is 5.4 metres long and does not come with a blouse piece. It is free size.

What colour blouse suits a black saree like this?

Take a colour from the embroidery and keep the blouse solid. Rust or burnt orange warms the drape, deep peacock blue cools it, and olive green sits quietly with the leaves.

Is mul cotton comfortable in warm weather?

Yes. Mul cotton is light and breathable, which makes this saree comfortable through long days, warm afternoons and evening functions.

Can I wear a black saree for Navratri or Deepavali?

Many women do, and the colour on this one keeps it from reading sombre. That said, some families prefer not to wear black for pooja. If yours is one of them, it works beautifully for evening functions, a sabha or a reception instead.

How do I wash and care for this saree?

Dry clean it the first time. After that, hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, on its own. Do not brush or wring the embroidered areas, and line dry in shade, since black fades fastest in direct sun. Iron on a warm setting from the reverse, and keep the iron off the sequins.

Will the colours look the same as in the photos?

Black is difficult to photograph, and the embroidery reads brighter in daylight than under indoor lighting. If you want certainty, ask us for a video call before you order.

Can I see this exact saree on a video call before I buy?

Yes. WhatsApp us on 7353931190 with a time that suits you, and we will video-call you and show you this saree before you order.

Is Cash on Delivery available, and how much is shipping?

Yes, Cash on Delivery is available across India, with a ₹150 shipping and cash-handling charge. Shipping is free on all prepaid orders within India. We currently ship within India only.

How soon will it reach me, and can I return or exchange it?

Orders are usually dispatched within 1 working day, and reach metro cities in 2–3 days and other cities in 5–7 days from dispatch. You can request a return within 5 days of receiving the saree, with an unedited parcel-opening video from start to finish. Exchanges are accepted within 3 days, in original condition and packaging, with return shipping arranged and paid by you.