Sari, it is said, was born on the loom of a fanciful weaver. He dreamed of woman, the shimmer of her tears, the drape of her tumbling hair, the colors of her many moods, the softness of her touch. All these he wove together. He could not stop. He wove for many yards. And when he has done, the story goes, he sat back and smiled.

Over the centuries there have been changes. Today, new styles and textures have been created. New cotton weaves, the splendor of silk, flamboyant satin, brocades supple and dazzling.

More than that, Sari style and its range of fabrics have gone beyond India and entered the universe of international fashion.

The world's most graceful garment for women is simply a stretch of cloth six yards long. In India, it makes Sari. Elsewhere, it can be tailored into every fashion ever created by a designer.

Saris come in many famous styles. Each is so individual, it can be identified by name. Each differs from the others in fiber, weave, pattern, texture and technique. Here are some styles that offer a breath-taking choice:

Cottons for day wear. Woven, printed or embroidered; colors light or gay.
Chanderi: Printed cotton Saris from Sanganer, Rajestan "Tie-and-Dye" (Bandhani and Laherias), "Ikat Tie-and-Dye" weaves (from Orissa and Pochampalli) and Embroidered Chikan Saris (from Lucknow).

Cottons for Summer evening, ornamented with gold and silver thread. Airy and opulent.
Chanderi, Gadwal, Venkatagiri: Khari prints, from Sanganer
Light Silks for elegance that's practical and informal.
Muga, Tussar and Tabby silks, Batik prints, printed silk from Bombay, Kashmir and Murshidabad
Rich Silks, for festive and formal wear, the great weaves with magnificence both restrained and unashamed
Banaras Brocade (gold, silver, silk)
Banaras Tissues, Bangalore, Kanchipuram, Tanjore Ikat weaves (Patola and Pochampalli)

                     

How to wear Sari?
Sari is worn with a Choli, a short close-fitting blouse, usually made from the same fabric as Sari. Under Sari, is a waist-to-ankle petticoat tied with a drawstring.

1- Hold Sari with its right-hand edge hanging down in front of right hip. Keeping lower edge of Sari at ground level, tuck upper edge firmly into petticoat. Complete first circle of Sari around you.

2- Make seven to ten knife pleats, each about 5 inches wide. Hold all pleats up together, so that they fall straight and evenly. Tuck their tops into petticoat, with lower edge, just off the ground.

3- Take the rest of Sari around left and right hips. Don't tuck into petticoat this time.

4- Drape this bit across the bosom, and let it fall over and behind left shoulder. Use a pin to prevent this part of Sari, or Pallav slipping off. Pallav (decorated and piece) can also be brought around and over the right shoulder to drape in front and reveal its full beauty.


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