• A note from its inspiration/founder Janahvi B. Singh

Banarsi saree the love affair of every woman, is crafted with love and love only!

The Weave of My Life

As the youngest in a large, bustling family, I grew up in a world draped in sarees, laughter, and timeless traditions. Mrs. Ranjana A. Singh (owner of RANJKASHI THREADS), my mother and whose namesake is RANJKASHI, my “Badi Mummies” (aunts), and older sisters were my first role models, their graceful presence filling every corner of my childhood. I would sit quietly in the room as they dressed for family events, their hands expertly pleating sarees, their reflections shimmering in the mirror as they added the finishing touches—a bindi, a delicate necklace, or a dab of jasmine-scented oil.

As a little girl, I was in awe of them. They weren’t just women to me; they were artists and warriors, effortlessly balancing their roles as mothers, daughters, wives, and professionals. Each saree they wore seemed like a statement of their identity—soft pastel cottons on summer afternoons, bold silk weaves for festive nights, and crisp handlooms for a day at work. I would run my small fingers along the intricate embroidery and the delicate zari work, enchanted by the stories each thread seemed to tell.

When I was old enough to tie my first saree for a school function, my eldest sister helped me. I remember feeling overwhelmed, unsure if I could carry the weight of the six-yard fabric. But when I looked in the mirror, I saw not just a young girl dressed in a saree, but someone stepping into a legacy. “You look just like Ma,” my sister said, and my heart swelled with pride.

As a teenager, my fascination grew into a quiet love for ethnic attire. I loved the way kurtis could effortlessly blend tradition with modernity or how salwars could be both elegant and comfortable. My sisters and I would spend hours at the local markets, flipping through stacks of fabrics, discussing patterns, and haggling over prices. It was during those trips that I learned the value of craftsmanship and the soul that artisans poured into their work.

By the time I was a young woman, sarees had become more than just attire—they were a reflection of my identity and a symbol of my heritage. I began collecting them, each one a piece of art. A Banarasi silk reminded me of my grandmother, a vibrant Kantha stitch spoke of my mother’s elegance, and a Chikankari saree carried the charm of my sister’s wedding day.

My mother starting her own saree brand felt like the most natural extension of our way of life. Ranjkashi celebrates the beauty, resilience, and grace that those sarees in the past embody—the same qualities I had admired in the women who raised me. Ranjkashi became a tribute to them, an attempt to share their stories through the weaves, patterns, and fabrics that had shaped my world.

Today, the designed and curated collections of Ranjkashi often transports me back to those childhood moments—watching my mother fold sarees with care, seeing my aunts laugh over chai, or hearing my sisters discuss the latest trends. Each saree Ranjkashi collection is a thread that connects the past to the present, a legacy passed from one generation to the next.

I still wear a saree when I need to feel powerful, rooted, or inspired. Each drape feels like an embrace from the women who taught me to love myself and my culture. Through our work, I hope to pass that feeling on to others, one saree at a time.