Saree Draping Style

The Sari from the Indian Culture is probably one of the oldest pieces of clothing still worn today. It is a very long piece of cloth which measures about 1m by 5.5m. ( One size fits all!). All women loved to be noticed. Whether it is a party or a wedding, a social gathering is an occasion to get complimented on your dress. Indian women, however, have a secret trick. They know that the easiest and surest way to get all eyes on you is to drape 5 yards of that exquisite creation known as the Indian Saree or Sari. It's something you can never go wrong with as it flatters most figures.

What is wonderful about the Sari is that it is not a costume reserved only for traditional festivals or ceremonies. Irrespective of caste, religion or customs, the sari is still worn by Indian ladies going about their daily chores.

The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with the loose end of the drape to be worn over the shoulder, baring the midriff. However, the sari can be draped in several different styles, though some styles do require a sari of a particular length or form. sari drapes in the following families:

Nivi – styles were originally worn in Andhra Pradesh; besides the modern nivi, there is also the kaccha nivi, where the pleats are passed through the legs and tucked into the waist at the back. This allows free movement while covering the legs.

Bengali and Oriya style- Draped without pleats, it is wrapped around the waist and drawn back to the right side and the pallu is slung over the left shoulder. Once again pulled up from under the right arm, it is slung over the left shoulder. Often an ornate key bunch is added to the edge to complete this very feminine and elegant drape.

Gujarati/Rajasthani – after tucking in the pleats similar to the nivi style, the loose end is taken from the back, draped across the right shoulder, and pulled across to be secured in the back

Maharashtrian/Konkani/Kashta; this drape is very similar to that of the male Maharashtrian dhoti. The center of the sari (held lengthwise) is placed at the center back, the ends are brought forward and tied securely, then the two ends are wrapped around the legs. When worn as a sari, an extra-long cloth of nine yards is used and the ends are then passed up over the shoulders and the upper body. They are primarily worn by Brahmin women of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa.

Madisar – this drape is typical of Iyengar/Iyer Brahmin ladies from Tamil Nadu. Traditional Madisar is weared using 9 yards saree.

Kodagu style – this drape is confined to ladies hailing from the Kodagu district of Karnataka. In this style, the pleats are created in the rear, instead of the front. The loose end of the sari is draped back-to-front over the right shoulder, and is pinned to the rest of the sari.

Gobbe Seere – This style is worn by women in the Malnad or Sahyadri and central region of Karnataka. It is worn with 18 molas saree with three-four rounds at the waist and a knot after crisscrossing over shoulders.

Gond – sari styles found in many parts of Central India. The cloth is first draped over the left shoulder, then arranged to cover the body.

Malayali style – the two-piece sari, or Mundum Neryathum, worn in Kerala. Usually made of unbleached cotton and decorated with gold or colored stripes and/or borders. Also the Set-saree, a sort of Mundum neryathum.

Tribal styles – often secured by tying them firmly across the chest, covering the breasts.

Kunbi style or denthli: Goan Gauda and Kunbis, and those of them who have migrated to other states use this way of draping Sari or Kappad, this form of draping is created by tying a knot in the fabric below the shoulder and a strip of cloth which crossed the left shoulder was fastened on the back.

Saree Draping Style

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