History of Indian rich tradition cloth “saree”
The word saree is the Sanskrit word meaning a piece of cloth. With time and space, this piece of cloth terminology changed to sati and then the word saree got coined. The saree was first worn as a two-piece of cloth in the Indus Valley civilization dating back to 5 millennium BC. The journey of a saree began with cotton. The way of wearing a saree is different at different places, in earlier times ladies used to drape it as two pieces of cloth, one cloth covering the upper body and the second cloth covering the lower body.
Saree is traditional attire that depicts the grace of a lady. The way of wearing a saree is evolving with times like earlier times, the saree was a nine-yard long garment but in recent times the yard of a saree has now decreased to seven yards, six yards. Researchers say that the saree came into use to protect our bodies from the hot weather. A scientific study is interpreted behind wearing a saree.
The saree helps our body to remain protected if we cover our saree with pallu till the hand’s area, then our body remains insulated by 40% while if we put pallu on our shoulder then body temperature comes down.
Let’s see, how the trend and style of wearing a saree is changing over time
In Mughal times, ladies would wear pleated sarees but with the coming of age in the 70s and 50s ladies preferred wearing non-pleated sarees much like the yesteryear Bollywood heroines. Nowadays ladies prefer wearing sarees in a pleated manner with boots, heels, flats, and chappals.
In ancient times ladies used to wear sarees without blouses but the concept of a blouse got incorporated with the Britisher’s era. Now all sorts of trendy blouses are available in the market like the strapless, backless blouse, you name it and the design is available.
the pattern of weaving and stitching has also changed. Georgette or silk sarees are giving way to cotton, ikat, cotton silk, and netted. Silk sarees fashion is restricted mostly to pujas and functions. Also, more modernized techniques of weaving are incorporated these days in stitching a saree.
With the increase in printed sarees, modern techniques of dying have also evolved and a profitable market for the people involved in the business. Saree is a fashion label that has a rich cultural lineage, passed on from one generation to the other.