Ohh My God!! Its Saree…
Recently , my close friend went on a trip to Vietnam with her mother I requested to share as many photographs with me as possible so that even I can enjoy the instagrammable destination through her lenses and very soon the first lot of clicks came , it was the beaches and frankly speaking the scenic beauty no doubt is breath taking but it was nothing new because I had have the same experience in goa , surely few frames cannot define the beauty of Vietnam but for a person miles away this thought was sufficient to console for not being physically present there. Now coming back to the photos everything was alluring and pleasing to the eyes but what really caught my attention was my friend’s mother who was donning a beautiful elegant saree on a beach, really she was slaying it in all forms, even my friend told that she has been drawing attention a lot and all for good reasons also people had approached and admired the attire of her choice. Its commendable when people tend to start appreciating you on showcasing your culture at foreign places in any form , this for me in true sense is being culture positive.
In a space where generations are categorised as millenials and Genz , trends being set by fast fashion brands , influencers are taking over Inspirations, the idea of accepting your culture, values, traditions are rarely found trending on reels but still one thing that has always stood the test of time is our own timeless and classic “SAREE”.
As per Wikipedia , the sari or śāṭikā evolved from a three-piece ensemble comprising the antarīya, the lower garment; the uttarīya; a veil worn over the shoulder or the head; and the stanapatta, a chestband. This ensemble is mentioned in Sanskrit literature and Buddhist Pali literature during the 6th century BCE also the history of Sari-like drapery can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilisation, which flourished during 2800–1800 BCE around the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. Cotton was first cultivated and woven on the Indian subcontinent around the 5th millennium BCE. Dyes used during this period are still in use, particularly indigo, lac, red madder and turmeric, Silk was woven around 2450 BCE and 2000 BCE.
“This terracotta goddess was found by chance in 1883, emerging from a river bank at the ancient port of Tamralipti. The first of its type to be discovered, and often described as the ‘Oxford plaque’, it remains the most famous of all early Indian terracottas dating to around 100 BC. Impressed in clay from a very finely detailed terracotta mould, it was given only limited further detailing with the use of tools. The goddess’s smiling face is framed beneath a large headdress with five symbolic weapons worn as hair-pins. Her jewellery includes huge disc earrings, a massive collar, bangles and a heavy girdle worn over a sheer robe.” Image Source : Wikipedia.
There are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a sari. 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.
Saree, not only is it the oldest but the only unstitched piece of garment worn that has beautifully evolved itself with time and has been considered to be the most versatile form of garment that can be experimented with , nowadays we come across even more interesting and innovative form of saree draping, individuals are also making their career as saree drapers.
This truly implies that culture and traditions are an integral part of human race and as we evolve with time same happens to them as well but we should always take pride in showcasing what we are good at and eventually use that goodness to deal with our shortcomings . Saree would have lost its relevance if we had not tapped into its endless possibilities. So when are you going to wear the saree next?
