Different Drapes Of Saree

The most popular style of wearing a Sari in India, is wrapping it around the waist over a petticoat with one end then draped over the shoulder baring the midriff. In ancient Indian tradition, the navel of the Supreme Being is considered to be the source of life and creativity, hence the midriff (stomach) is to left bare. The upper garment is a tight blouse (or a choli) which has short sleeves. A Saree is usually 4 to 9 metres in length.

Based on the different styles of draping, a Sari can be classified into the following types:

• Nivi: The most popular style of wearing a Sari in modern India, this starts with one end of the sari tucked into the waistband of the petticoat and then the cloth is wrapped around the lower body once, then hand-gathered into even pleats just below the navel. The pleats are also tucked into the waistband of the petticoat creating a beautiful effect. After one more turn around the waist, the loose end (or Pallu or Pallav in Hindi) is draped over the shoulder.

NIVI Style

• Gujarati way:This version of draping, commonly known as the seedha pallu way, is also found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Instead of taking the loose end,( pallu ) over the shoulder from front, it is taken to the back and brought over the right shoulder. It is then spread across the chest, and the left edge is tucked in the petticoat at the back.

 

Gujarati Style Sari

• Maharashtrian/Konkani/Kashta method: It is also called Nauvari saree. In this style of wearing Sari, Instead of the usual five-and-a-half meters, the sari in this version measures eight or nine meters. One portion of the sari is drawn up between the legs and tucked in behind at the waist, while another portion is draped as a pallu over the chest. Thus this divided sari allows greater movement of freedom with both legs covered.

Marathi Style Saree

• Tamilian (Dravidian) version: After wrapping around the waist, the pleats are positioned along the left leg. The rest of the sari is taken over the left shoulder, wrapped once again round the waist and tucked on the left side. This is also a long saree, about 8 meters in length.

• Bengali or Oriya : The sari is worn pleatless; it is wrapped around the waist, brought back to the right side and the pallu is thrown over the left shoulder. The pallu is then brought up under the right arm and once again cast over the left shoulder.

Bengali Sari Style

• Malyalam/Kerala Style: The two-piece sari, orMundum Neryathum, worn inKerala. Usually made of unbleached cotton and decorated with gold or colored stripes and/or borders.The Set-Sare, a modified and modern version of Mundum Neryathum, is a one-piece saree.  

Set-Saree Kerala Style Sari with a golden border

• Kodagu style or Coorgi Saree– 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.

Kodagu or Coorgi Style Saree

Mumtaz style drap- This is very innovative drap. here saree is rounded twice around to give a slim effect. It’s hard to walk in this drap. This drap is good for saree with heavy or embroidered borders.

Double drap – This is a drap ideal for special occasions. In this drap a dupatta is also worn along with the saree which is matching. Saree is worn normally in “ulta pallo” and the dupatta is draped from the forehead something like this.

Ghagra style Drap- This is a very beautiful drap and gives your saree a ghagra look which makes the saree look gorgeous. Small margins are left while draping the saree into the skirt which gives it a very beautiful efect.

Tuck Drap- This is very common and simple approach of draping a saree. Draping is normal like “Sidha Pallo” and then the edge of the right side of upcoming Pallo is tucked in front to give a wavy effect.