The saree is a versatile attire of the Indian subcontinent. As soon as anyone hears about clothes from the Indian subcontinent the image of a woman clad in a saree with a sense of serenity reflecting from her face emerges in one’s mind. Yes, saree is worn across the country in different states of India in different patterns, being differently draped, different materials and texture. A normal saree is anywhere from six to nine yards long depending upon its draping. In some states the saree is worn as a two piece set together to get the look.
The multiple ways the saree is draped in India
This versatile nine yards is draped in 18 traditional ways all over the country. The most inspired drape is the nivi style drape from Andhra Pradesh. The most common style which commonly is seen in Bollywood and mostly everywhere is inspired from the nivi drape of Andhra Pradesh.
Athpourey saree style is from West Bengal. This drape has a sense of authority as the pallu is thrown from the front to back with usually a bunch of keys of the household hanging. What more can have than the reigns of the household on her hands?
The mekhlachador is a two piece saree that are worn together.
Andhra Pradesh also has another draping style the kappullu drape adorned by the women of the kappullu caste.
The women of Maharashtra drape their saree in nauvari style where the bottom part resembles a dhoti and the upper part is draped as a normal saree.
The state of Kerala has two styles of draping it. Namboothiri is the oldest form of draping and the mohininattam style.
Karnataka has its heritage of draping it in three elegant styles, namely, Bootheyara style, the Coorgi style and the halakki vokkaliga style.
We have the pinkosu style of drape from Madurai.
Surguja style of drape if from Chattisgarh.
The women of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Orissa can be seen draping the seedha pallu style. This style gives the illusion of a lehenga being worn.
The gol saree or most commonly known as the Parsi drape can be seen being draped by the Parsi women.
Goa has an ancient style of draping the saree—the kumbi drape.
Manipur itself has two styles of draping the nine yards in its own way—the phanek drape and the innaphi style drape.
Santhal drape from Jharkhand is one of the simplest draped resembling the kind of drape that the Bengalis have.
Lastly, Tamil Nadu has its own draping style known as the madisaaru being the toughest of all drapes.
So many styles of drapes and so many materials to own
There, the immense influence of the saree can be more felt if gone the variety of the materials available in the market. Broadly classifying we can say there are eight different materials to own this timeless classic piece in.
The Assam Silk and the Arani silk respectively being from the states of Assam and Tamil Nadu, the Bandhni tie-dye textile hailing mainly from Ahmadabad.
The Crepe material is preferred as an evening wear saree or for bridal textiles because of its beautiful drapes falling down.
The Chiffon material is a light-weighted material and commonly found all over the country amidst all buyers of caste and creed.
Faux georgette is the artificial version of the georgette itself.
Lastly adding to the list is Kanjivaram and the Banarasi silk sarees—no wardrobe is complete without these two varieties.
Conclusion
Stop pondering lanes and by-lanes and log on to various e commerce sites to get the latest, trendiest sarees in immense textiles and prints. Wear this elegant piece anywhere and everywhere and remember you can drape it as you wish.
