Workshop on tying a sari
The sari is a traditional garment worn by women throughout the Indian subcontinent.
When our forefathers (and mothers) came to Trinidad as indentured labourers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they brought their clothing styles with them, along with so many other aspects of their culture.
Although no longer routinely worn, these clothing styles have been replaced by Western-style clothing, but are still popular today for festivals, weddings, religious occasions, etc.
A sari is a single length of cloth that is usually between 100 and 120 cm wide and about 4.5 metres long, although it can be as long as 9 metres! It is wound around the body, covering both the lower and upper parts and can then be draped over the head if desired.
Saris come in a variety of colours, patterns and fabrics. They can be made from cotton, silk, jute or even wool. Nowadays, they are often made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, rayon or nylon.
Saris vary from simple and plain to richly ornamented and heavily decorated. Traditionally they were block printed or hand woven and this method of making saris still exists. But increasingly, saris are machine-printed and woven on mechanical looms.
Many sari designs are specific to a particular region and there is no end to the variety of styles and designs on offer. Most commonly, a sari will have more intricate patterning on the two borders that run along its length and on the end that will be used to drape over the shoulder or over the head. This end – the orhni part – is called the pallu.
Saris are usually worn with a matching blouse called a choli and an underskirt (sari slip or petticoat) in the same colour, although not necessarily made of the same material.
Steps in tying a sari
To tie a sari, you normally start by tucking the plain end of the cloth into your waist band, wrapping it around the lower body once, making pleats that are also tucked into the waistband in the front, carrying the end of the cloth once more around the body and then under the right arm and over the left shoulder.
The orhni can then be left to drape down your back or can be brought up to cover your head – as is often done for religious ceremonies or pujas. Another style brings the orhni over your right shoulder from the back. The end is then tucked into the left side. This style is most commonly associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. YouTube has lots of helpful videos that show you how to tie a sari successfully.
There are dozens of other ways in which one can tie a sari, many of them used in specific areas of the subcontinent. Some styles use no pleats at all and others bring the sari cloth between the legs like a dhoti. Even dancers have their own ways of tying their saris to facilitate ease of movement.
Whichever style you choose to go with, you will find that the sari is an elegant, yet practical item of clothing that keeps you warm in cold weather and (more relevant to our climate) cool in hot weather and is comfortable and easy to wear – once you get the hang of putting it on.
For more information, contact Rukminee at rukmineebeepath@gmail.com or WhatsApp in Trinidad 868 724 9221
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTOR: Jaya Lalita-devi
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