Saree Draping Styles of Tamil Nadu.
In Tamil Nadu, there are several weaving clusters which were encouraged by the various dynasties that ruled the region from the 10th century. The region has always had a large number of resident weavers not only from neighbouring Karnataka and Andhra, but also from the Saurashtra region in Gujarat. This influx has expanded the repertoire of the region and honed the skills of the weaving community. The influence of ruling Kings has also contributed to the cross influx of weaving techniques – the most notable amongst which are the Cholas (King Utthama Cholan, who in the 10th century, settled pattu weavers from Andhra in four regions in Kanchipuram) and Nayakars ( King Thirumalai Nayakar, who bought in weavers from Saurashtra in the 16th century). The ancient kingdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas maintained flourishing trade ties with Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and other parts of South East Asia, the influence of which has merged and enhanced the Tamil aesthetic and lead to the emergence of the famous weaving clusters of Kanchipuram, Thirubhuvanam etc .There are predominantly six styles of draping saris that originated in the Tamil Nadu region – Pin Kosavam, Munn Kosavam, Alai Kosavam, Saurashtra Kattu, Madisaru and the Bharatnatyam (Dance Style). We will explore each of these in this blog, starting with the Bharatnatyam Style Saree draping, illustrated in the video in the following steps-
Bharatnatyam Style Saree Draping:
Instructions to drape a 9 yard sari in Bharatnatyam style saree draping, as worn by dancers before stitched costumes came into use.
Saree Length: 9 yards +, 8.3 m
Step 1. Bring inner end -piece around waist clockwise and tie the knot at centre front waist
Step 2. Make 8 – 10 pleats of the free end piece.
Step 3. Roll gathered pleats outwards, till desired length of sari is reached.
Step 4. Bind pleats with innermost layer of sari in front, making a banana like form at centre waist.
Step 5. Bring outer end-piece around waist anti-clockwise and throw over your left shoulder and hold the two extreme ends of the sari in front
Step 6. Join them and pick up centre pleat from lower border
Step 7. Bring to back between legs.
Step 8. Pleat pulled portion showing both borders on eithr sides and tuck in at centre back waist.
See video steps here -
https://youtube.com/shorts/N9m8PMMzIaE?feature=share
We have a collection of exclusive kanchipuram silk sarees in 10 yards and 6 yards suited for Bharatanatyam Style Saree Draping
