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From a grandmother’s shelf to a granddaughter’s wardrobe, sarees are a staple in every Indian woman’s life. It truly brings out the elegance and beauty of anyone who wears it. If someone asks you, “what is the most important aspect of Indian festivities?”, apart from the gigantic feasts, the rich culture, and heritage, it has to be the beautiful women, all decked up in astounding Indian wear, especially the evergreen saree.
Sarees are said to be in the DNA of Indian women. Wherever they are, whoever they are, whatever their lifestyle be, there is always a place in their closet and in their hearts for these six yards of flat fabric. This, therefore, justifies why almost every state in India has a unique saree or draping or weaving style for itself. Some of the largest and most popular contributors of precious and beautiful handloom sarees are Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Southern India. The Kanjeevaram silk sarees from South India, with all the bright colours and motifs, to the ingenious weaves of Bengali sarees, stand out.
Sarees have been used to drape the female form for over 5,000 years and are still worn by many women in the Indian subcontinent to this day. The earliest account of a saree being worn dates as back as the Indus Valley Civilisation between 2800 and 1800 BC, in the northwest region of India. It is a common belief that the word “saree” is derived from a Sanskrit word, which means “strip of cloth”.
The saree is one of the oldest unstitched garments still in existence and in trend. It is both contemporary and conventional, credit to its versatility.
It was originally worn by our ancestors as a triple-piece attire. A cloth wrapped around the waist, a band of cloth is over the chest and another piece of cloth is worn over the shoulder, used to cover the head.
There are a number of different types of sarees available around us. From the traditional Kanjeevaram silk sarees to the contemporary Organza sarees.
7 types of sarees that you must have in your wardrobe during this festive season are listed below.
Banarasi saree
Varanasi, or Banaras, is one of the oldest and richest weaving centers in India. The luxurious brocade (embossed effect), rich quality fine silk fabric, and opulence of the Banarasi silk saree make it one of the heaviest sarees in an Indian women’s wardrobe.
It is a favorite among North Indian brides due to the metallic zari work used on its borders and pallus.
You can choose to embrace this quintessential yet traditional piece on many occasions. The richness of a Banarasi silk saree is an appropriate choice for weddings, be it your own or your close ones. Within the 7 Types Of Sarees, it can also be given as gifts to your relatives as a gesture of love and respect.
Kanjivaram Silk
No discussion is truly complete if Kanjeevaram silk sarees are not mentioned. This majestic silk saree originates from a small temple town in southern India called Kanchipuram.
It is a globally recognised and loved saree, all credits to its soft silk base, vibrant colours, intricate weaves and the variety of different traditional motifs like peacocks, elephants, flowers, and many more. There are also many much heavier and more ornate Kanjeevaram silk sarees which are equally as famous as the simpler, multi-hued designed sarees.
You can wear a Kanjeevaram silk saree to traditional celebrations, due to the rich cultural and sentimental values it holds.
Bandhej Saree
Bandhani sarees are also popularly known as Bhandej and are considered to be a very auspicious article of clothing by the people of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is produced with a tie and dye technique involving a vigorous process where the fabric is tied at certain areas in a pattern, and then dipped in dye and set out to dry.
The amusing Bandhani dots create patterns, ranging from traditional to contemporary to floral. The fact that the Bandhani saree is produced by tie or dye technique, makes it the most unique piece of the other 7 types of sarees!
Munga Silk Saree
Muga silk is a type of silk originating from the state of Assam, India. It is popular for its durability and a yellowish-golden tint with a glossy effect it exhibits. The Muga silk sarees have become a national style symbol for many Indian women. It is quite distinguishable from the other 7 types of sarees because the pallu of the Muga silk sarees is heavier than the body of the saree.
Another surprising fact about Muga silk sarees is that the brightness of the saree improves with every wash, making it one of the costliest silks available all over the world to this day.
If you want to make a grand impact, or you want to shine over others, the Muga silk saree should be your best option out of these 7 types of sarees!
Patola Silk Saree
One of the finest handloom silk sarees from Gujarat amongst these 7 types of sarees is the Patola saree. They are woven by skilled master weavers using a special type of silk known as “Patala Silk”. The reason these double ikkat sarees are so popular despite being expensive is because of the folk motifs and characteristics woven, like geometric patterns, or even three-dimensional figures like animals, birds and plants.
Earlier, Patola sarees were also considered to be a symbol of status in Indian culture. Due to the elaborate decoration and precision required in creating them, it became quite popular among groups of people that were well off in terms of both status and wealth.
Fun fact: Nari Kunj Patolas incorporate holy images of Hindu goddesses into their fabric along with other motifs, making them a rare variety from the other 7 types of sarees.
Organza Silk Sarees
Organza is a sheer, lightweight, plain-woven fabric originally made from silk. However, it can also be made from synthetic fibers, like polyester and nylon. Like most silk fabrics, it originates from the land where silk was first cultivated, China.
An organza silk saree, as the name suggests, is crafted from organza.
Whenever an Indian woman chooses to drape around a beautiful organza saree, it instantly amplifies the elegance and charm of the woman, making it one of the most popular saree materials among Indian women. From traditional occasions to party looks, organza silk sarees make for the perfect option to wear for any event among the 7 types of sarees listed.
Chikankari Saree
Chikankari is a traditional embroidery style that originated from the city of Lucknow, India. The work of creating the chikan pattern on a particular fabric is called Chikankari. Earlier, Chikankari was exclusively worked on white fabric using white threads. It incorporates various forms of delicate stitching like the hemstitch, chain stitch, etc. This embroidery is generally worked on lighter fabrics in order to highlight the embroidery.
Among these 7 types of sarees, the chikankari work saree is a must-have piece for any Indian woman since it carries the rich heritage and tradition of Lucknow. The “Lakhnavi Chikankari saree” has also gotten global recognition, all credits to the detailing work done on it. It is an appropriate option for someone who wants to make a graceful yet fashionable statement on any festive occasion.
The 7 types of sarees listed above make women look traditional and more like themselves. If some one desires to go for a sophisticated as well as a cultured look, sarees are the best option for them. Moreover, you can easily grab everyone’s attention on any occasion while sporting a saree. They help accentuate the beauty and grace of women, making them feel more confident than ever. The list of benefits is never-ending, therefore, one can never go wrong when choosing to wear a saree.