The sari (also spelt as saree) is a very popular garment traditionally worn in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It can be an heirloom handed down through generations or even solely functional clothing worn daily. Saris are now seen on streets and runways and have influenced fashion designers from all across the globe.
A sari is not just a piece of garment but it has several different meanings and has witnessed a transformative journey. The cultural meaning of sari, for a woman, is seen as a passage of adulthood and indicates that she is no longer a little girl. Although due to the stream of modernization, urban woman do not cling to this concept.
Sari is a fashionable outfit at the moment, but it started from being a modest piece of clothing used by women thousands of years ago. The emergence of the drape or a garment quite similar to a sari can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which developed during 2800-1800 BC in north-west India. The journey of the sari initiated with cotton, which had been cultivated and woven into the material.
THE NAME
The garment evolved from a famous word ‘sattika’ which means ‘a woman’s attire.’ Sattika was a three-piece ensemble comprising the Antriya – lower garment, the Uttariya – a veil worn over the shoulder and the Stanapatta – which is the chest band. The three-piece set was known as Poshak, the Hindi term for a costume.
Antriya in olden times resembled the dhoti but later evolved into a ghagra or lehenga. Uttariya evolved dupatta and Stanapatta evolved into choli.
MANY REGIONS, MANY STYLES
India not just consists of 29 states but also includes a huge number of clusters of small regions. Each region has its own way of draping their saris. If we google ‘how to drape a sari’, hundreds of different ways would pop up on the screen. Each state, each region has their own unique identities. Thus, each region shows its individuality with its sari.
SARI AND ITS PLACE IN SOCIETY
For several years now, western culture is seen to have a huge impact on India’s choices. Especially in cities, more and more people are moving towards the garments that are easier to wear which include pants, shirts and salwar kameez, whereas saris are being reserved for special occasions.
However, many present-day designers are experimenting with the sari. It remains a point of interest for many young designers.
THE CURRENT SARI
The current style of sari we see today comes from the Mughal period which brought rich fabrics to our country and also introduced plenty of stitching technique. Seeing the Mughals, people of the country would regularly imitate their fashion choices which eventually lead to the adaptation to how it is worn in today’s time.
SARIS ARE AFFECTIONATE
Saris evoke a feeling of nostalgia and memory. We often associate certain saris with particular moments, events or with the memory of your grandmother. Saris are passed on from one generation to the next, as a wedding trousseau or are given as gifts. As well as being daily wear, saris are deeply attached to our memory and identity.
SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE ARTS AND CULTURE
IMAGE SOURCES: GOOGLE IMAGES
AUTHOR: RAMSHA KITTUR
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I have been watching my mother , grandmothers and my aunties wearing sarees of different kinds . According to me, saree is the most elegant and beautiful garment to wear.
This article is really good 👌
I enjoyed watching the untold story of saree