Saree is just a fabric which
needs to be draped in a particular way to achieve the fully dressed
effect. Draping the sari is an art. The saree is worn in in different
ways in different states. However, the most common method is wrapping
the cloth around the waist, making pleats in the front and draping the
final length around the shoulder. The remaining fabric that is draped
over her blouse and shoulder, falling behind her is called the pallu.
Steps involved in wearing a Saree
- Step 1. Around your body. Starting at the navel, tuck the plain
end of the saree into the petticoat and continue tucking till you
take a complete turn from right to left. Adjust the lower end of the
saree to the height required. Ideally wear your footwear so that you
drape the saree to the right length.
- Step 2. Measuring the pallu. Hold the top edge of the saree
where the pallu is and bring it around your hips to the front and
over your left shoulder, thus measuring the length of the pallav or
pallu. The pallav should hang down the back to the knee. You may pin
your pallav to your sari blouse provisionally.
- Step 3. Making pleats. Create pleats with the saree. Make about
7 to 10 pleats and hold them up together so that they fall straight
and even. Tuck the pleats into the waist petticoat slightly to the
left of the navel, taking care to see that the pleats are turned
towards the left.
- Step 4. The pallu. The remaining portion of the saree must be
turned once around the body and then draped over the left shoulder.
Arrange the pleats on this part of the saree and then pin them up on
the left shoulder to prevent the pallu from falling off.
This is the most common method to wear a saree. With matching bindi
and jewellery you feel like a complete Indian woman.
