Sari! One of the most popular traditional garments of the Indian Sub continent. It consists of a drape varying from five to nine yards (4.5 mtrs to 8 mtrs). It is typically worn around the waist with one end draped around the shoulder. There are various styles of sari draping, the most common being the Nivi style, which originated in Andhra Pradesh, India. The sari is associated with grace and is widely regarded as a symbol of grace in cultures of the Indian subcontinent.

The word Sari in Sanskrit means a strip of cloth. The history of the Sari dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization during 2800 – 1800 BC.

There are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a sari. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with the loose end of the drape to be on the shoulder. However, the sari can be draped in several different styles, though some styles do require a sari of a particular length or form.

Nivi – styles originally worn in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka besides the modern nivi, there is also the kaccha nivi, where the pleats are passed through the legs and tucked into the waist at the back. This allows free movement while covering the legs.

Bengali and Odia style is worn without any pleats. Traditionally the Bengali style is worn without pleats where the saree is wrapped around in an anti-clockwise direction around the waist and then a second time from the other direction. The loose end is a lot longer and that goes around the body over the left shoulder.

Gujarathi/Rajasthani/Pakistani – after tucking in the pleats similar to the nivi style, the loose end is taken from the back, draped across the right shoulder, and pulled across to be secured in the back.

Nepali sari is worn in various forms of traditional nivi style, saris are worn with Nepali blouse known as chola.

Maharashtrian/Konkani/Kashta; this drape is very similar to that of the male Maharashtrian dhoti. Though there are many regional and societal variations. The centre of the sari (held lengthwise) is placed at the centre back, the ends are brought forward and tied securely, then the two ends are wrapped around the legs.

Madisar- this drape is typical of Iyengar/Iyer Brahmin ladies from Tamil Nadu. Traditional Madisar is worn using 9 yards saree.

Pin Kosuvam – this is the traditional Tamil Nadu style.

Kodagu, style – this drape is confined to ladies hailing from the Kodagu district of Karnataka. In this style, the pleats are created in the rear, instead of the front. The loose end of the sari is draped back-to-front over the right shoulder, and is pinned to the rest of the sari.