A woman is an epitome of sacrifice, hard work and success. India is a land where the woman has played a substantial role.
Women have broken the shackles of society and taken a deep plunge into the sea of hardship. India is a land which is so versatile, stringent and prone to change at the same time.
We have seen the upcoming Rani of Jhansi to the descendent of the first lady Prime Minister of India- Indira Gandhi. We have seen the era where Nagris Dutt played “Mother India” and moved to a phase where Kangna Ranaut played Fashionista in the movie “Fashion.”
The ladies walked the march of Dandi bare foot, wearing the hand woven saris. The ladies walked the walk in the march at India Gate for Nirbhaya’s condolence in the kurta and jeans. The fashion world may have confused the world, with many options strewn away. But, what defines an Indian woman is the traditional look, beneath the crisp shirt and trousers.
What adds glamour to the look of an Indian woman is the kohl worn by her. It highlights the confidence which she beholds in her eyes. The heel elevates the walk of a woman, but her anklet adds rhythm to her steps.
Women have adapted themselves to the changing lifestyle and fashion statement around them. But the beauty and charm of wearing a traditional look can beat any style round the world.
We have been through the age of ghunghats and burqas. We have walked past from the salwar suits to kurti-leggings period. We have moved ahead of bell-bottoms to the quirky palazzo pants. We have made our move from ghagra choli to ravishing gowns. Therefore, the beauty of a woman is best complimented when she is draped in a saree.
Saree adds a traditional touch to any woman. The stylish from Lakme Fashion Week- Anita Dongre and with her team Grassroot is the inspiration behind this article. Her film- Benaras woven is the story of the artisans who worked hard and carried forward the legacy of making Benarasi sarees.
The craftsman and artisans dwelling in the villages are busy preserving the tradition of India. The capitalization has transformed the traditions and art. An initiative by the designer to preserve the art form and talent of India is remarkable. Some of the art works from the sweating hard artisans of India which every woman should have in her wardrobe.
Banarasi Sarees
One of the most famous sarees amongst the woman, from the holy Indian city of Varanasi (Benaras then). Every woman loses her heart to this heavy work of gold and silver brocade or zaridar embroidery. The Indian fat wedding is incomplete without the women flaunting the Banarasi saree.
Silk Sarees
The sericulture technology has been a boon to the ladies in India. The vivid varieties of silk sarees from different parts of India have given shopping a new definition. The silk sarees have been accepted with wide open arms around the world. Every silk saree defines uniqueness and quality in its own self.
The bulk of silk sarees were born in parts of Southern India where it is named as Pattu. Some of the famous silk sarees are: Mysore silk sarees, Kanchipuram sarees, Bhagalpuri Silk sarees (from the state of Bihar).
Madhubani Printed Sarees
Inspired by the madhubani painting, the artisans of Bihar and Nepal started working on the handloom. Madhupani or Mithila painting is one of the Hindu styles of paintings. This painting is done with the help of fingers, twigs, matchstick, etc. and uses natural dyes for the colourful patterns. The painting on the saree is famous from this region of India. The preparation of this saree takes a longer time for preparation requires the help of skilled artisans.
Chanderi Sarees
The perfect blend of pure silk, chanderi cotton and silk cotton fabric, the Chanderi sarees are designed in the Chanderi region of Madhya Pradesh. The weaving culture dates back between the 2nd and 7th century. The chanderi sarees achieved great height in the business during the Mughal period. Today, the chanderi sarees and suits are favourites of women.
Tant Sarees
The traditional sari of Bengal, which adds a tint of Bengali tradition to the woman- Tant Saree. The weaving of this sari is performed all over the state of West Bengal. Some of the famous places where the weaving is special are Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly and even parts of Dhaka. This sari is the cheapest sari in the wardrobe of a woman. It is most comfortable saree available in the market.
Sambalpuri Sarees
These sarees are traditional handwoven ikat saree. The weaving of these sarees is done in certain parts of the state of Odisha. The name “sambalpuri” is derived from the name of the city in Odisha named “Sambalpur”. It is a piece of unstitched cloth which has a length of the saree ranges from 4 to 9 meters. The saree gained popularity after Late Indira Gandhi started wearing them in the 1980s.
Bandhani Sarees
The art of tie-dye technique is involved in the making of Bandhani printed sarees. It is performed in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab region and Tamil Nadu. Bandhani is also known as Bandhej, Piliya and Chungidi. Another sibling of Bandhani print is the Leheriya print from the state of Rajasthan.
Nauvari Sarees
The nine yard piece of cloth from the state of Maharashtra is known as Nauvari Saree. This is worn as a dhoti, which adds a traditional touch to the women. This is often called as “Lugada”, which is worn by the elderly women. Madhuri Dixit performed Lavani wearing this saree in one of the song sequence “Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar”.
Kosa Sarees
This saree is the traditional silk saree from the state of Chattisgarh. The production is performed by the Dewangan community. The cities of Bilaspur, Raigarh and Champa are known for the production of kosa sarees.
Modern collection of Sarees
The modern collection of sarees knows no boundaries; it ranges from georgette to chiffon sarees. Recently, the netted sarees gained popularity with its heavy sequence work and embroidery. A wide range of saree waits to be engulfed in the wardrobe of the ladies.
