โLaaj, ek aurat ka gehna hota haiโ (Self-dignity is a womanโs jewelry that she adorns for the entire life.)
It is all time famous dialogue of many Bollywood movies. In Indian culture, the dignity of women is associated with saree. It is not just a piece of cloth of 6 meters long. It has its importance since the age of great epic Mahabharata when Lord Krishna saves Draupadiโs dignity and respect, providing her the abundance of cloth in the form of saree. The Indian saree culture is unique in its way.
Coming to today, both men and women of India have grown up watching their grandmother, mother, sister, aunt wearing saree either regularly or on any special occasion. Hence, saree plays an essential role in the house of every culture of India. It protects a womanโs dignity and accentuates the curve with grace and beauty.
In these few years, the growth of Indian saree culture is extraordinary. The young generation is taking this extended piece of cloth seriously to adorn its beauty. Apart from traditional weave, modern age saree is taking a considerable rise. Designers are coming up with unique ideas to make the saree fabric comfortable, easy to wear among young girls.
But, to know more about saree, you have to dig deep into the roots of saree. A saree is 5-9 meters long, and its width is from 24-47 inches. It is typically wrapped around the waist, where the one end falls on the shoulder. Nivi style draping, which rose from the Southern part of India, is the most common one. A saree is worn over a petticoat underneath the saree and blouse or choli on top.
Saree: The Epitome Of Our Culture
It is a cultural symbol of India which has its prominence from Indus Valley Civilization. Even the Hindu Goddess was seen in different forms of saree styles. Many fashion trends have come and gone in recent years. But, there is one staple item in a womanโs wardrobe, and that is saree. You will find different types of saree, both traditional and contemporary, in the closet.
When a woman drapes herself in saree and compliments the look with beautiful jewelry and a matching bindi, she looks dignified, polished, and refined and holds a strong role to bring forth the Indian saree culture. The women who wear saree and perform all the household chores with ease is the master of saree. They can bring harmony in every possible form. Also, they wear saree in every religious occasion, which is the height of grace. When these women wear saree, and their pallu and plates do not fall off, one should know they are the expert of draping in any saree draping style.
Todayโs girls are more into skirts, jeans and tops for easy to go and comfortable wear. But, a saree is matchless. Still, whenever there is any religious, weddings, or any formal events happening around, girls prefer to wear saree for a high level of grace and beauty. The women may have western education and influence at par, but she can never forget the culture and tradition of Indian families. Saree is yet another part of Indian culture and tradition.
Not only the grandmother style of wearing saree, but Bollywood actresses also influence the women of today to wear saree in different styles, matching or contrast blouse, with modern accessories and many more. Experiment with this 6-meter-long cloth is taking a considerable revolution, yet the demand for traditional weave is unparalleled.
Role Of Saree In Weddings
Though the women of today prefer to wear Lehenga Choli as a fashionable wedding dress, saree plays an essential role in the wedding. From Bengalis to Gujratis, the wedding saree holds strong emotions. The women love to treasure the beauty of saree. Some girls prefer to wear their mothers or grandmothers wedding saree as a blessing. The traditional saree culture holds strong during weddings.
Red is the color of love, positivity, and purity. Wedding sarees are pure in their form. Girls choose wedding saree as per the taste, culture, and personality. A wedding saree is not just a saree, but it speaks a womanโs heart.
While at a Christian wedding, girls choose white wedding saree over a gown. They want the โ palluโ as a veil or attach a separate veil to cover the face.
The traditional weave of different cultures becomes wedding saree. Todayโs girls love to do experiments with wedding saree. They choose a contrast color blouse with the latest designs to wear with wedding saree. They uniquely drape the saree to add glamor yet make it very much traditional.
Comfort And Color
Some occasions or daily wear do not allow loud or bright colors. Keeping in mind the taste of the modern-day woman, linen saree in light colors are the best choice for office goers or school teachers women. It enhances the personality of a woman yet gives comfort and style.
The zari work, stonework in deep color saree is no more the limit of the experiment. The designers perform zari, thread or stone works in beige, white, cream color sarees. They look amazingly beautiful, as the counterpart of deep color saree.
List Of Sarees That One Should Have In Wardrobe
Before you buy a saree, you should know the different types of traditional sarees that prevail in our Indian saree culture. These sarees come in various vibrant colors with beautiful motifs, border designs.
1. Paithani, Maharastra
A specialty of Aurangabad, which is a silk saree in a handwoven style. It has an elaborate border of zari, with peacock design and other delicate motifs, make the saree stand out in oneโs
The Paithani saree is a specialty of Aurangabad. The handwoven silk saree is grand and elegant. Its zari border, beautiful motifs, and the recurrent peacock design are what sets this saree apart in your wardrobe.
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2. Tant, West Bengal
From religious to daily wear, tant saree us a must-have in a Bengalis family. You can grab one in your wardrobe, which adds elegance to your style statement. It is made from cotton fabric, which has beautiful prints and thick border.
Source:https://www.utsavfashion.in/product/handloom-cotton-tant-saree-in-peach-spn3530
3. Kanjeevaram, Tamil Nadu
The name of the saree came from the Kanjeevaram region, and it is the queen of the saree. It is rich in texture and color. In one drape, you will get grace, elegance, and refinement.
4. Sambalpuri, Odisha
The saree is prepared with different techniques that have a delicate weave. Before the saree is woven, the dyeing process of the threads is a must. Hence, it makes the color of saree vibrant and long-lasting. It never fades away.
5. Muga, Assam
The saree from Muga silk is very rare and unique. The larvae breed only two leaves that are special. Hence, the silk is popular and the best one. The silk fabric is durable and very glossy. Muga of gold threads is available in Assam.
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6. Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh
When cotton, silk, and zari come together in a woven process, then the resulting fabric is the lightest one. It gives a royal feel, and lighter compare to feather. Hence, the saree looks gorgeous. It is even comfortable to wear and will not create any trouble wearing the saree.
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7.Phulkari, Punjab
It is a famous flower work with threads. It has all sorts of bright colors. It is mostly done on khadi or cotton blends. Phulkari Dupattas are very popular items.
8. Pochampally, Telangana
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The Pochampally silk comes from the Boodhan town, Andhra Pradesh. It has ikat design in geometric form. It has a blend of both cotton and silk. The intricate motifs look fantastic on the saree. Hence, it has a royal feeling that any woman can fall for.
Different Types Of Draping Styles
Draping in Indian saree culture again an essential factor. When the saree draping is perfect, the overall saree look turns out awesome. Every state in India has different styles of saree draping, and to name a few are:
Bengali Athpourey
It mostly does not have creases, but it is not an easy drape. It has broad front pleats like a box, which has a zamindari feel. But, if you drape it right, it looks perfect.
Maharastra Nauvari
Nauvari or Nav Vari is a nine-yard worn by the Marathi women or the women of Maharastra. The name โNauvariโ originates from the sareeโs length of nine yards. Again it is a tricky drape that looks almost like a dhoti. Maharashtrian women choose this saree drape only during festivals and occasions. It is an easy maintenance drape.
Gujrat Seedha Pallu
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This is one of the most popular styles worn by women in Gujarat. In the seedha pallu style of wearing saree, the pallu drops down from the right shoulder sometimes to a free fall or tucked into the left side of the waist. This is one of the unique styles of Indian saree culture
Andhra Pradesh Nivi drape
The most modern draping style comes from nivi style drape. It accentuates the curves of a womanโs body elegantly. The form of draping is pretty simple, where you wrap the saree around your waist over the petticoat. Then leaving a few yards, you take the ends of the saree and adjust the length of the pallu. Then you have to make pleats of the remaining yards near your belly area and tuck them inside neatly. Taking the pieces over the shoulder again makes clean broad, or thin pleats and secure on the shoulder to make neat pleats. Wella! You are ready with the most common beautiful style draping.
Assam Makhela Chador
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The drape looks complicated, but if you master it, then it looks awesome. The drape basically games in the lower portion and then there is a twist in triangle form in and around your waistline.
Jharkhand Santhal
It is a tribal community in India. In Indian saree culture, the drape of saree of a Santhal woman is important. It almost like a Bengali drape. The pallu in this drape is given a triangular shape and then you wrap on the waist.
Welcome To Modern Age Sarees
Apart from the above draping styles, in todayโs Indian saree culture the demand for modern age saree is tremendous. The names of such modern styles are:
- Pant style saree
- Lehenga style saree
- Saree with belt
- Dhoti saree
Seeing the growth of such modern style draping, the designers are also coming up with readymade saree in the market. The pleats and pallu are already done with neat attention. Girls need to wear this type of saree in just a minute, and once you hook the button, you are ready yo groove, party, and move hassle-free.
Art Of Draping Saree In A Stylish Way
Even if you do not have stitched saree, you can take your 6-yard saree pair it with stylish fitted jacket blouse and then do the usual โniviโ style draping pleats and cross over the from left to the right shoulder. The pallu should look like a muffler. Then secure the pallu with a stylish belt. (Video Courtesy: Miss Chillaxx)
Bollywood Inspiration
If you want to know the depth of Indian saree culture, then Bollywood plays a significant role. The heroines of Bollywood exactly know how to maximize the reach into the hearts of Indians. Fashion inspiration from Bollywood is not new. Once a heroine invents a unique saree draping style, it becomes a trend. For example- Sonam Kapoor, a fashion queen, brings on the denim saree look, and it instantly hit in the fashion crazy girls.
Conclusion
Overall, our Indian saree culture witness exponential growth. It is a girlโs must-have item in the wardrobe then, and even now. From a new party to religious events, saree adorns a womanโs beauty, dignity, culture and makes an ultimate style statement where beauty meets sexiness.
So, girls do not hesitate to buy a saree for yourself next time. This piece of cloth is not just a piece of fabric, but many cultures, traditions, emotions, and feelings are attached to it. Wear it and flaunt it. You can never go wrong with a choice of saree for any formal occasion. Once you wear a saree and look into the mirror, you can see your womanhood. Donโt let the Indian saree culture die. If you respect your choice, the world will respect your decision.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
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