India's Six - Yard Wonder : The Saree

   India's Six-Yard Wonder : The Saree

The saree, India's quintessential and ubiquitous garment, is a remarkably adaptable six-yard wonder that continues to evolve with time. There is significant enthusiasm, both domestically and internationally, for exploring India's diverse heritage and highlighting local craftsmanship. This bountiful diversity calls for a deeper engagement with indigenous styles. Acceptance and adoption of this legacy garment will be its saving grace, signaling a shift in perception that  the saree is no longer just a flat six yards of fabric, but a canvas of endless possibilities. The  urban Indian women has increasingly relegated the saree to occasion wear, similar to the Japanese kimono. Fundamentally an unstitched garment,  however, modern, pre-pleated versions provide ease to wear for younger generations, a "homecoming" that blends India's traditional brocades and silks with contemporary, stitched forms. Young graduates feel proud to carry forward their traditions by wearing saree  for their convocation by just  hitching a  hook to an eye at the waist and watching the pre pleated sari fall as their Mother’s Six yard wonder swayed effortlessly and with elan. The saree has witnessed  many changes throughout history. It is a profoundly democratic garment, worn effortlessly by people from all walks of life—from Bollywood screens to agricultural fields—making it an inextricable part of the nation's identity. Its essence can be  beautifully summarized by the French phrase Luxe, calme et volupté (Luxury, calmness, and pleasure).

• Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya

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