The sari or saree is the most admired garment worn by Indian women. Though the exact history of Indian sarees is unknown, according to researchers its origin dates back to 3000 BC in the Indus Valley Civilization. The word ‘saree’ has its origin in the Sanskrit word ‘Chira’ meaning cloth. Indian sarees are still the most preferred garment for most women and in this respect they have stood the test of time. In spite of the popularity of other western garments such as salwars and churidars, the sari still has a place of its own.
During the times of the Indus Valley Civilization, female priests used to wear pieces of cloth draped in the form of a saree. The sari divided the two legs and looked like a pair of trousers during those days. Sarees were worn in this way traditionally by temple dancers too because this allowed for better movement while dancing while helping them maintain their modesty. It is believed that the oldest Indian garment ‘dhoti’ was the foundation behind the sari. Both men and women till the 14th century wore dhoti.
According to the history of Indian sarees, they were draped in a sensual manner as revealed by the various statues of divinities made in the early times. The saree was fastened at the waist, covered the legs and came down as a decorative drape in front of the legs. The upper part of the body was partially covered or left bare during ancient times. In Kerala, a southern state of India, the traditional Indian sarees still comprise a two-piece garment, consisting of a shawl and a lungi. The petticoat or ghagra was introduced with the arrival of Muslims when clothes began to be stitched.
Earlier, Hindu sarees came unstitched as piercing of clothes with needles was considered an act of sacrilege by the Hindus. This was the time when blouses were also introduced. Since then, many new styles of sarees have been experimented with and the sari has come of age. Some Indian fashion components, such as the blouse and the petticoat, still remain the essential elements to complete the saree look. The saree is the perfect garment to accentuate the beautiful curves of the Indian woman and has been used by women to enhance their beauty since time immemorial.
The sari can be worn in a flattering range of styles ranging from the nine-yard saree worn in the ancient days to the 6-yard, glittering Bollywood sarees of today. Indian traditional sarees come in exquisite designs. The rich traditional Kanchipuram Sarees in vibrant colors are still the hot favorite with many brides in South India. India which has a rich variety of sarees produced in several states. You can also choose from a range of cotton sarees to georgette saris, print silks to colorful bandhanis.
During the times of the Indus Valley Civilization, female priests used to wear pieces of cloth draped in the form of a saree. The sari divided the two legs and looked like a pair of trousers during those days. Sarees were worn in this way traditionally by temple dancers too because this allowed for better movement while dancing while helping them maintain their modesty. It is believed that the oldest Indian garment ‘dhoti’ was the foundation behind the sari. Both men and women till the 14th century wore dhoti.
According to the history of Indian sarees, they were draped in a sensual manner as revealed by the various statues of divinities made in the early times. The saree was fastened at the waist, covered the legs and came down as a decorative drape in front of the legs. The upper part of the body was partially covered or left bare during ancient times. In Kerala, a southern state of India, the traditional Indian sarees still comprise a two-piece garment, consisting of a shawl and a lungi. The petticoat or ghagra was introduced with the arrival of Muslims when clothes began to be stitched.
Earlier, Hindu sarees came unstitched as piercing of clothes with needles was considered an act of sacrilege by the Hindus. This was the time when blouses were also introduced. Since then, many new styles of sarees have been experimented with and the sari has come of age. Some Indian fashion components, such as the blouse and the petticoat, still remain the essential elements to complete the saree look. The saree is the perfect garment to accentuate the beautiful curves of the Indian woman and has been used by women to enhance their beauty since time immemorial.
The sari can be worn in a flattering range of styles ranging from the nine-yard saree worn in the ancient days to the 6-yard, glittering Bollywood sarees of today. Indian traditional sarees come in exquisite designs. The rich traditional Kanchipuram Sarees in vibrant colors are still the hot favorite with many brides in South India. India which has a rich variety of sarees produced in several states. You can also choose from a range of cotton sarees to georgette saris, print silks to colorful bandhanis.
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