A sensuous fabric conjured from the strands of a humble silkworm mystifies millions the world over. Exotic, luxurious and romantic, silk has an aura of magnificence built around it. The Queen of Fabrics bestows on the wearer a rare grace and charm and adds a touch of elegance.

Nature's benevolence, entwined with the artisan's skill creates an impressive array of silk fabrics that reflect India's size, culture and folklore. Silk in all its regalia flows from the land of the Ganges to spell magic in the world of haute couture. The intricate weaves, vibrant hues and delicate embroidery have quelled the ravages of time and machine.These traditional skills form a connoisseur's delight.

The natural shine, smoothness, and the rustle of silk are so typical that they cannot be described by any word other than 'silky', 'silken' or 'silk-like'. So deep is the association of silk with the desirable qualities of richness, smoothness and class that even other products and services are described as rich or smooth as silk.

Silk is a traditional product of India. It is the only country in the world to produce all the four commercially produced varieties of silk, i.e. mulberry, tasar, yeri and muga. Raising of silk worms and the making of silk yam requires a lot of knowledge, skill, and painstaking efforts. Only a few countries in the world have been able to produce silk in large quantities due to these constraints.

Even those countries that did, like Japan, were not able to maintain the quantities since, with growing prosperity in the country, they diverted their efforts to easier occupations.

Very few new countries have been able to join the exclusive club of silk producers, and there too, like Brazil, the success has been totally dependent on supplies of raw material and technology by Japan.On the other hand, the silk production in India has gone up from about 7000 tons in 1985 to about 14000 tons now.