The Meaning and History of the Saree
Let's Discuss Numbers.
Eight out of ten homes bought at least one saree in 2018, which resulted in a 400 billion Rupee market for sarees in India. In contrast to urban India, where only 74% of households purchased at least one saree, 85% of rural households did so. It would be an understatement to say that sarees are a mainstay in India.
History of the saree from "Threads from the Past"
The first recorded use of the saree dates to the Indus Valley Civilization, between 2800 and 1800 BC. It appeared about the same time that cotton was discovered in the Indus Valley and was first woven into garments.Around that time, weavers in the Indus Valley also started using dyes like indigo, red, and yellow to give their cotton weaves color. And so, "the drape," a garment used by Indian women to conceal their modesty, came into being. The garment's lack of stitching also made sense in light of the long-held Hindu notion that stitching might taint material. The saree progressed over time from simple white cotton to cotton that had been colored, to embroidered sarees that displayed the wearer's riches, and finally to sarees made of various fabrics with a variety of embroidery work.
While mass-produced sarees are widely available in the market today, artists who have been practicing their trade for generations manufacture traditional handloom sarees in certain places. Following is a list of popular sarees by region:
Northern and Central Regions
· Chanderi saree from Madhya Pradesh
· Banarasi from Uttar Pradesh; Pattu from Himachal Pradesh
· Kosa silk from Chhattisgarh
· Rajputi Poshak, Gota Patti sarees from Rajasthan
Eastern Regions:
· Shantipuri cotton is grown in Shantipur
· Phulia
· West Bengal
· Tant is grown there.
· Sambalpuri Silk & Cotton Saree
· Sambalpur, Odisha; Mooga Silk
· Assam; Mekhla Cotton – Assam
· Rajshahi Silk / Eri
· Rajshahi, Bangladesh
· Berhampuri silk from Behrampur, Odisha
· Ikkat Silk & Cotton Saree from Bargarh, Odisha
· Manipuri Tant Saree - Western Regions of Manipur
· Maharashtra's Paithanpattu
· Yeola saree
· Khun fabric, and Karvatitussar saree are just a few examples.
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Pakistan, and Sindh all have Bandhani, while Rajasthan and Pakistan also have Kota doria, Patola, and Bagru.
Southern Regions
· Silk from Mysore, Karnataka
· Kanchipuram Silk, also known as Kanjipurampattu, is produced in Tamil Nadu.
· Karnataka's Ilkal saree
· Sulebhavi saree from Karnataka's Sulebhavi
· Andhra Pradesh's Venkatagirisarees made of Mangalagiri silk, from Andhra Pradesh
· Sarees made of Uppada Silk, from Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu is known for its Chettinad sarees, Kumbakonam, and Thirubuvanam.
· Cotton from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
· Tamil Nadu's Salem Silk
· Sarees made of Madurai cotton - Tamil Nadu
· Sarees from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
· Sarees from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu
· Balarampuram, Kerala; Kerala silk and cotton sarees
Kerala's MundumNeriyathum, Mayilati silk, Kannur cotton, Kalpathi silk, Pochampally or Puttapaka sarees, Gadwal sarees, and Narayanpet sarees are among the textiles produced there.
The list goes on and on. Every region makes and drapes sarees differently for a variety of reasons.
Colors of Saris
Colors and saris go hand in hand. While formal events still adhere to traditions, many modern sarees have designs in a variety of colors. For instance, particular colors are seen to be lucky on certain days.Weddings and other important occasions frequently call for the wearing of red sarees. Red sarees are highly popular when the wearer wants to make a statement since they are the color for vitality, fertility, and desire.
Saree by Occasion
While laboring over a hot stove or strutting down the runway at a high-end fashion show, the modest saree is worn.
Sarees for everyday use are light and comfortable. They should be airy and simple to clean. They are often composed of cotton or a cotton blend. The focus of partywear and Leheriya saree is on sparkle and glamour. There, vibrant colors and elaborate embroidery are in style. Garara Sharara dresses options are also now considered by Indian women on different festivals and occasions.
