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Different Saree Draping Styles from States of India

India is known as the land of culture and tradition, and saree being the most traditional Indian attire is loved by all cultures alike. Saree is the only attire that has been constant over the years. A woman looks most elegant and timeless in saree. There are different varieties of saree in terms of fabric and cultural importance and so are the draping styles.

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Mahalekshmi Silks

20 July 2022

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Different Saree Draping Styles from States of India

 

India is known as the land of culture and tradition, and saree being the most traditional Indian attire is loved by all cultures alike. Saree is the only attire that has been constant over the years. A woman looks most elegant and timeless in saree. There are different varieties of saree in terms of fabric and cultural importance and so are the draping styles. While there is a numerous member of draping styles. Here is a short list of twelve such draping styles from the states of India. Let’s have a closer look!

 

1.Seedha Pallu (Gujarat)

A draping style practiced in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha, seedha pallu sarees are worn here by folk women on an everyday basis. Quite similar to a lehenga choli, in this style, the veil is used in place of a dupatta. This particular style allows for free hand movements and works really well for heavy-work sarees as the shoulders do not have to bear the weight of heavily worked decorations on the veil. Also, it’s the best way to showcase all the intricate designs found around the saree’s veil and border.

 



2.Mekhela chadar (Assam)

Assamese handloom sarees are called mekhela chadar, and this particular style constitutes draping these sarees only, hence the name. Worn by the young girls of Assam, mekhela chadar comprises two pieces. One piece is worn at the bottom like a sarong with crisscross pleats in front, while one end of the second piece is tucked around the waist on the left side and the other end is draped onto the shoulder like a shawl.

 







 

3.Pinkosu (Tamil Nadu)

Worn by the women of Tamil Nadu, pinkosu is a saree-draping style best suitable for hot weather. The word ‘pinkosu’ literary means ‘pleats at the back’, hence in this style, the saree is wrapped around the waist one and a half times, providing more coverage, where unlike a normal saree, the pleats fall towards the outside of the wrap from the inside. So basically, the underside of the saree shows, so women must choose their saree accordingly. Handloom cotton sarees are therefore preferred for this style, as they are reversible and can be worn from both sides.

 

 

4.Gol saree (Parsi drape)

As the name suggests, this draping style is regularly worn by Parsi women, as well as on festive occasions. A georgette or light chiffon saree is generally preferred for this kind of drape. The veil comes from behind and goes all over the blouse on the left shoulder and is then brought to the front over the right shoulder, forming folds at the front. The front part of the veil thus falls quite close to the hem.



 

 

5.Halakki Vokkaliga (Karnataka)

Halakki Vokkaliga are the aboriginals of Karnataka and live at the base of the Western Ghats. Particularly, the women of this aborigine wear this distinguishing saree-draping style, hence the name. The saree is first tied around the neck and then wrapped around under the shoulders like a sarong, which makes a blouse or petticoat completely unnecessary. Along with the saree, women wear a lot of accessories, like colourful flowers and beads, to complete their look.

 



 

6.Coorgi style (Karnataka)

Coorg is a hill station in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. To make climbing the hilly slopes of the area easy for women, this style of saree-draping was brought into practice. It helped them climb trees and do their daily work actively. A Coorgi style saree has pleats at the back, whereas the end or veil of the saree is brought from the back under both shoulders and then secured on the right shoulder with a knot. Red and golden Kanjeevaram silk sarees are worn by brides in this style during their weddings.

 



 

7.Kunbi Drape (Goa)

This is an ancient saree-draping style, which was followed by the tribal women of Goa way before the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century. A very basic draping style, it requires wrapping the saree around the waist and simply knotting it on the right shoulder. It is tied much above the ankles to provide ease and comfort to the women working in rice fields.

 

 

8.Kappulu (Andhra Pradesh)

An undoubtedly elegant drape, today, kappulu is worn only by the older women of the kappulu cast in  Andhra Pradesh. Unlike normal sarees that are wrapped from right to left, this style requires women to drape a saree from left to right. The Kappulu style has two main features – one is the slight and slender pleat at the back that enhances a woman’s curves, while the other is the falls of cloth created by twisting the end around the body two times. The veil is taken from the front over the right shoulder to either hang loose or be wrapped around the neck.

 

 

9.Nauari Draping (Maharashtra)

The Nine-yard Nauvari draping is the most different draping style as it gives a whole new look to the weaver. Maharashtrian Nauvari saree is generally 8 to 9 meters long as compared to normal 5.5 meters long saree. There are different styles in Nauvari saree like Brahman style, Marathi drape and Lavani style.

 

 

10.Nivi Drape (Andhra Pradesh)

The modern draping style is an adaptation of Nivi saree drape, traditionally worn in Andhra Pradesh. Nivi draping style no longer considered regional as the style is widespread among the women around the globe. This draping style accentuates the curves very well and looks extremely elegant.

 

 

11.Madisaru (Tamil Nadu)

The Nine-yard-long Kanjeevaram known as Madisar, traditionally worn by the women of the Brahmin community in south India. Unlike other draping styles. Although difficult to drape, trouser like draping provides ease to work and move around. Brides hailing from Iyengar community usually wear this drape during wedding.

 

 

12.Athpourey (West Bengal)

Athpourey drape can be differentiated with two pallu coming from back to front.

The draping style has popularized immensely and therefore, worn by women of other communities. Athpourey drape id considered signature saree for Durga Pooja among the Bengali women.

 

 

 

(Courtesy: Multiple sources over web)

 

 

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