What is Banarasi fabric? How is it different from Surat silk sarees?

Banarasi refers to fabric — typically silk — woven in Varanasi (Banaras), Uttar Pradesh, using traditional Jacquard looms with intricate gold and silver zari brocade patterns. It is a GI-tagged product.

Authentic Banarasi characteristics:

• Pure or blended silk (Katan, Organza, Shattir, Georgette silk)
• Genuine zari (gold or silver metallic thread) woven in
• Mughal-inspired motifs — paisleys (kairi), florals, jaal patterns
• Handwoven on traditional Jacquard looms by Banarasi weavers

Surat "Banarasi" sarees: Surat produces machine-made imitations of Banarasi designs at a fraction of the price. These are technically not Banarasi (not handwoven, not from Varanasi) but are sold as "Banarasi-style" or "Banarasi copy" sarees.