Brocade silk is obtained by the interweaving of coloured silk and gold or silver threads. Silk is described as a fibrous substance produced by silk worms in the form of a cocoon or covering within which the creature is enclosed and protected during the period of its transformation. The silk is cultivated and woven into textiles on a loom. Vegetable dyes were used to create colour. Today, chemical dyes have gained popularity as they are cheaper, less time-consuming and produce a larger variety of colours. Associated with ceremonial rites of ancient India, silk has been a highly revered fabric. It continues to be a popular and widely used material.