Indian Sarees

No matter how far the trend changes, there are some forms of dressing that can not be replaced. So there stands sari - an answer to every Indian woman's desire of perfect attire, that stays forever in the fashion scene. The saree certainly is a multi-purpose garment that enhances the perfect figure and covers well the not so perfect ones. In fact the Indian woman's figure seems to fit in so much better with the sari as compared her western counterpart.

A distinct part of the indian sari is gently or a 'pallav', the one end of the sari that goes across one shoulder to fall down the back, which differs in look as compared to the other end of sari. The blouse or a 'choli' has never been as versatile and trendy as it is now. There are embroidered blouses, cholis, some with strings for greater ventilation, some with high cuts that are deep both in the front and in the back, all of which gives the wearer a look that can range from confident to sexy.


Types of Sarees
Painted and Printed Textures: The Persian influence has always been strong as far as the motifs are concerned; and the saris from south have been dominated by it. The saris are embellished with medallions, fine floral 'butis', scrolled leaves, branches and creepers, stylized peacocks and parrots.

Block Printed Sarees : The blocks for printing are made by special block-makers. Initially vegetable dyes were used for printing and though this is still practised, the nature, requirements and pattern vary from craftsmen to places.

Embroidery : This is the art of working raised and ornamental designs in threads of silk, cotton, gold and silver upon any woven fabric with a needle.

Chikan : Done mainly with white cotton thread on white cotton, linen or silk. 'Chikan' embroidery is a speciality of Lucknow. It is done with large or small, simple or inverted satin stitch, knot stitch, netting and appliqué work.

Kantha : This is a variety of running and darning stitches that are used to embroider episodes from legends, scenes from daily life, birds, animals and trees. Thematically, the art of kantha is an enriched version of the 'aripona' or 'alpona' in Bengal. Kantha is worked on tussar and silk sarees though it's available in cotton fabrics too.

Phulkari : The term 'phulkari' means flower work and is a form of embroidery done in darn stitch by using silk threads or homespun cotton. In traditional phulkari the main colours used are yellow and white but the ground colour is always considered a factor while deciding the patterns, which are mostly geometric and floral.

Chain Stitch Embroidery : Also known as 'ari bhat' because of the use of an 'ari', which is basically used for embroidering leather. By combining chain, satin and interlacing stitches, prominent couching and mirrorwork, you get fine embroidery that can embellish saris.

Applique Work : In appliqué, motifs are cut out from coloured fabric and stitched on to a plain fabric - normally white in colour - to create patterns. Kutch, Saurashtra, Orissa, Bengal, Bihar, Uttar pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the traditional centres for appliqué and patchwork.

Pichwai Pallav : The 'pichwai' or painted hangings, always adorns the inner shrine of a temple. Today, sari 'pallavs' are being adorned with meadow, lotus ponds, peacocks or rain showers of flowers in the pichwai style.

Chitrapata : Narrative paintings of Andhra Pradesh and its surrounding areas are adopted for such styles. The 'kalamkari' temple hangings, the wall paintings of Lepakshi and the 'chitrapatas' are all a part of this tradition. These paintings are today used as motifs to sometimes cover the entire sari.