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The saree; Eternal and transcendent !



The saree has become a fashionable garment today but began as a humble drape used by women thousands of years ago. The saree, in fact, is one of the oldest garments to exist in the world. We explore the origin of this garment and the way its usage has changed in modern times!


Origin :

The origin of saree is traced back to Indus Valley Civilization (2800 -1800 B.C) in the northwest region of India. Simply put, the saree is an unstitched piece of clothing with lengths varying from 4.5 yards to 9 yards. It was originally made out of cultivated cotton. The word sari or saree evolved from the Sanskrit word 'shati' which means a strip of cloth.


Evolution of weaves :

What started as a simple garment started evolving into something regional and unique. The weaves evolved in different directions depending on the cultures of the region as well trends. This gave rise to the various crafts that are seen throughout the country. Each of these weaves/crafts has a rich and profound history. Over time, six yards started becoming the commonly used length for most popular weaves such as Banaras, Kanjivaram, Paithani, Odisha weaves, etc.


The saree in modern times :

The saree has evolved from a daily wear garment into something occasional and significant. Each saree and its weave, the designs used and the colors imparted into the fabric tell us about the history of the region where it was woven. The saree has changed from a casual strip of cloth to something which has immense cultural and historical significance. It is now become a canvas on which creativity of designers and the skill of the weavers can be expressed through the designs, colors and textures.


Some unique sarees designed by our in-house designers:







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