SUVASAS- the beautiful costumes!!!!

SARI- The Beautiful Indian Garment

Sari, for instance, the oldest Indian garment is a versatile cloth beacuse it could be worn as shorts, trousers, flowing gown-like or skirt-like. The word "sari" has been derived from the sanskrit words "Sati" and "chira", meaning "a wearable length of cloth". In ancient times both men and women used to wear sari. Styles of wearing Sari varied from region to region and as per the occupation of the wearer. In India, a sari is draped in around 10-15 differnt styles as per differnt states and religions. The fact that surprised me the most is that brave women like Rani Lakshmi Bai even fought battles with a sari draped on their body!!!! Inspite of its long length, it has never been cumbersome for working women. They could carry head load, waist load(child) and walk with ease.

Basically, a sari is divided into 3 parts-

• the longitudnal borders
• the end piece
• the field

Each part used to communicate about the status of a woman in her family and society. It could be turned into a working dress or a party-wear dress with different draping styles. A woman's ethnicity, class or caste backnground and the social norms usually influenced her choice of fabric, color and patern. These differences are still noticeable today. For instance, In North India a widow was expected to wear white sari while a bride used to select reds and maroons, the colors considered auspicious for joy and marital bliss and this tradition is still followed in maximum parts of northtern India........

Dhoti was the male counter part of sari. They used to wear colorful dhotis with brocaded borders in various styles. Being just an un-sewn cloth, it could be worn parted and tucked breech like for horse riding, swimming and other sports tight worn and short length for martial sports and battle. Men used to get an elegant appearance after draping the embroidered and fully pleated sari with big borders swayed as they walked majestically towards Durbar hall!!!

This is a brief history of sari......dunno where future will take this beautiful garment,,,,,coz today women wear it at formal occasions just to cover up the formal expectations of society!!!

But as it is said-"OLD IS GOLD" ,,,,the elegance and beauty of this garment is gonna remain forever..........!