Why is a Saree seen as the embodiment of Indian Women Wear?
Posted by TANUJA SINHA ROY
The versatile garment Saree had humble beginnings that can be traced back to the time of Indus Valley Civilization (3300 – 1300 B.C) in North-West India. The first generation of sarees was made by cotton & dyes such as Indigo, Lac, Red Madder & Turmeric were used to color them.
The name saree comes from a word found in Jain & Buddhist Scripts called “Sattika” that means Women’s Attire. It was also known as Poshak which was a Hindi term. It consisted of three items namely:
- Antriya – The lower garment
- Uttariya – A veil worn over the shoulder or head
- Stanapatta – A chest band
Women traditionally wore a gamut of handloom saris made up of cotton, silk, embroidery, block-print, tie-dye textiles. Some of the famous sarees that are still renowned include Kanchipuram, Banarasi, Gadwal, Paithani & more. Read on to know about why a Saree is considered as the Embodiment of Indian Women Wear.
Saree went through an Amazing Evolution
The Three-piece attire that we read above evolved with the influx of foreigners from different countries. Their enthusiasm for different kinds of sarees brought forth a sweeping revolution. The exchange of cultural ideas, wealth, precious stones & designs nudged Indian women to look out for artisans who can make curated Sarees. They even started asking artisans to design exclusive sarees by using expensive stones, gold threads & other beautiful items that will make them stand out from the crowd.
The advent of various weaving, dyeing & printing methods gave rise to beautiful sarees of different fabrics & exquisite patterns. Highly curated Sarees, Beautifully Woven Indian Silks as Meticulously Hand-Painted Sarees were in high demand & were considered as prized possessions by their owners from all over the world.
As time passed, sarees started gaining special names based on the area or a particular sect that they originated from such as Banarasi, Kalamkari, Chanderi, Bandhini & more. Such sarees are coveted among saree collectors & are also regarded as the most opulent garments in the world.
Sarees of Today
Sarees have gone through a rigorous transformation. However, an amalgamation of cultures or ideas never made the sarees lose its original roots. Today, if you go shopping for a saree, you will not only find modern ones but also traditional varieties that are being re-discovered.
World-class designers are coming up with new designs as well as a blend of modern & traditional designs that are being preferred by the new & old generation alike. There are different collections of sarees like Chiffon, Georgette Satin, Ombre, Half Sarees & more.
This Nine Yard Garment has enthralled women from all walks of life. Any woman can drape a saree and participate in events like office meetings, social gatherings & weddings among others. This versatility & availability of sarees in different fabrics as well as colors are the very reason why Indian woman wear saree.
This is why a Saree is regarded as the embodiment of Indian Women Wear. It rich medley of colors, beautiful designs & mind-boggling varieties draws buyers from all walks of life. Brands like Swtantra bring forth beautiful sarees made up of Chiffon, Satin & other amazing fabrics along with beautiful blouses to empower women & Celebrate Indianness.
