Textiles are more than just fabric; they’re vessels of memory, heritage and identity. Recently, a 150-year-old Mysore silk sari on display at Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), London, has captured global attention thanks to Akshata Murty, who chose it as a central piece in her new series exploring Indian craftsmanship in a global context. This sari isn’t just a museum artefact. For Murty, it embodies a living legacy, bridging her roots in India with her life in Britain.

Heritage Thread: The Roots of Mysore Silk

The Mysore silk tradition dates back centuries in Karnataka, with the silk produced in the Mysore district using mulberry silk. Over time, the craft evolved into one of India’s most respected silk-weaving legacies. The sari from 1867, now in the V&A, stands as an heirloom testament to that craftsmanship. As Murty puts it, this is “an ancestor of the Mysore silk industry, which is at least 150 years old and still thriving today.”

Mysore silk is celebrated for its subtle sheen, rich zari borders, and elegant drape, features that once made such garments a symbol of royalty under the rule of the Wodeyar dynasty.

A Personal Connection: Identity, Memory, Belonging

For Akshata Murty, the sari is more than historical; it is profoundly personal. Her father hails from Mysore, and she spent her childhood visiting the city’s palaces, artisans, and absorbing the region’s culture.

Her connection surfaced poignantly when, during her time at Downing Street, she wore a Mysore silk sari in a shade of blue, paired with a pendant bearing the Wodeyar emblem, while lighting diyas for Diwali. In her words, it felt like “bringing her roots and culture into a global space.”

That blending of past and present, personal heritage and public identity, is central to her initiative.

Craft Meets Contemporary Vision: The ‘Stories + 10 Objects’ Series

As a new trustee of the V&A, Murty curated a video series titled Stories + 10 Objects, presenting ten artefacts of South Asian provenance, textiles, jewellery, and everyday objects, each narrating a unique story of craftsmanship, history, and evolving design.

The 1867 Mysore sari is one of the standout pieces. Murty says she chose it to reflect her heritage and the enduring craftsmanship that continues to support countless families even today.

Importantly, she sees the project as a bridge between India and Britain, tradition and innovation, artisans of the past and audiences of the present. As Murty puts it, design thinking connects generations.

In a world where historical objects can get consigned to dusty corners, Murty and the V&A are redefining their role not as relics, but as living dialogues between cultures and time.

Significance: Why This Sari Matters Today

• The sari represents a continuity of craft, a 150-year-old tradition that remains alive and relevant.
• It forever stands as a symbol of cultural pride reflecting Mysore’s heritage and the legacy of weavers whose skills have been passed down through generations.
• Through its presence in an international institution like the V&A, it brings Indian textile heritage to global audiences, inviting appreciation beyond regional boundaries.
• Through Murty’s personal story, it shows how art and craft can transcend geography, carrying identity across continents.

Final Thoughts

The 1867 Mysore silk sari is not just a beautiful textile; it is a living bridge. For Akshata Murty, it connects her childhood memories in Karnataka to her life in Britain; for the world, it connects centuries-old craft traditions to contemporary appreciation. In an era where globalisation often dilutes identity, this sari, and the stories around it, remind us that heritage, craftsmanship and personal history can weave together across time and space.

As the world watches, the gentle rustle of silk may well be the softest, most enduring whisper of a culture, one that refuses to fade away.