Elegance wrapped in 5 to 9 yards, the traditional Indian attire of Saree adds to a woman's grace and beauty in spades. Right from the historical records of the Indus valley civilization to the present day society, the Saree has held on to its cultural and traditional importance over the centuries.
Some forms of saree draping requires 5 yards whereas the kashta from Maharashtra needs 9 yards for it is draped in the form of a dhoti which gives the woman greater freedom of movement while working in the fields and also in training for any physical activities such as martial arts and sports. This saree is therefore called the Nauari which literally translates to 9 yards. Although the standard size of 6 yards ( 5.5 m ) is the most common one preferred by millions of women as their go-to attire.
Across the country, the style of draping the saree changes as per custom and the geographical features of the region.
The easy classification of this classic drape can be as follows -
Saree Material ranges from Cotton, Silk, Rayon, Chiffon, Georgette, Wool to Crepe, Organza, Net, Jamdani Khadi, blends of various fabrics etc
Work On the Sarees - Various types of embroidery, painting, applique, cut work, sequins, Crystals and mirror work, laces, kundan, beads, precious stones etc
Embroidery - Zardozi, Resham, Brocade, Kantha, Chikankari, Sequin etc
Here is a list of sarees worn across the Indian States -
Assam - Bodo, Eri Silk, Muga Silk, Gadu / Mirijim, Mekhela, Paat, Gari Diya
Andhra Pradesh - Venkatagiri, Annibuta, Uppada Silk, Bandarulanka, Malkha Khadi, Bobbili Cotton, Dharmavaram silk, Kalamkari Handloom, Gadwal silk, Mangalagiri Cotton, Mangalagiri Silk, Narayanpet, Pochampally, Ponduru khadi, Malkha Cotton, Uppada Silk
Bihar - Bhagalpur Tussar Silk, Bawan buti Cotton Handloom Sari, Madhubani
Chattisgarh - Pata, Kosa Silk, Champa Silk, Gond print, Baiga Cotton, Lodhi Lugda Cotton
Gujarat - Patan Patola, Dhabla, Pachedi, Kuchch, Kharad, Tanchoi Silk, Tangaliya, Mashru, Bandhej, Ashavali Silk, Bhojodi
Goa - Kunbi
Haryana - Panja
Himachal Pradesh - Kullvi Pattu Shawls, Galecha, Kullu Shawls, Gudma, Numdha, Thobi
Jammu and Kashmir - Kashida, Kashmiri Pashmina, Kani weave, Sozni Silk and Wool
Jharkhand - Tussar Silk
Karnataka - Mysore Silk, Udupi, Ilkal, Navalgund Durries, Patteda Anchu, Molkalmuru, Lambani Cotton
Kerala - Kasavu, Kasaragod, Balrampur, Chen amangalam Handloom
Leh and Ladakh - Challi wolen
Maharashtra - Paithani, Himru, Ghongadi, Kathi Saree, Karvath Kathi
Madhya Pradesh - Chanderi, Maheshwari, Bagh
Manipur - Moirang phee, Shaphee Lanphee, Wangkhei phee
Mizoram - Mizo Puan
Meghalaya - Eri
Nagaland - Angami
Odisha - Bomkai / Sonepuri, Sambalpuri, Habaspuri, Pasapali, Khandua, Dhalapathar parda, Bichitrapuri, Kotpad, Santali Phuta, Suta Luga, Gari Diya
Punjab - Khes, Phulkari
Rajasthan - Gota Patti Jaipuri, Chunri, Kutch Bandhej, Ajrakh Bandhani, Gharchola Bandhani, Favri Georgette, Kota Doria Silk, Pichwai
Sikkim - Lepcha
Telangana - Gadwal, Teliarumal, Siddipet Gollabhama Cotton, Pochampally Ikat, Kandangi Cotton and Silk, Madurai Sungudi
Tamil Nadu - Rasipuram Silk, Kovai Cora Cotton, Kornadu, Kanchipuram Brocade, Kodali Karappur, Kandagi, Arani Silk, Koorainadu Jamakkalam Poornakumbham Cotton, Tenkasi, Salem, Chettinad Cotton, Madurai Sungudi, Erode Kanjeevaram Silk, Chinnalpattu, Rasipuram Silk, Pochampally Ikat
Tripura - Laisingphee
Uttarakhand - Ahimsa ( Eri ) Silk
Uttar Pradesh - Jamdani, Bhadoni, Mirzapur handmade dari, Agra Durries, Naqsha Brocade, Kimkhab, Banarasi, Kadhwa, Chikankari
West Bengal - Baluchari Silk, Batik , Begumpuri, Dhaniakhali, Jamdani, Madur Kathi, Shantipur, Garad Silk,Tant
The mind-boggling variety in the choices available in Sarees has maintained its stronghold on the collective psyche of the Indian women who prefer it on all special occasions and festivals if not in their day to day life, though the vast majority do prefer it as their daily wear, over the other traditional and modern clothing choices available to them.
Picture source - www.onlineclothingstudy.com
