|
The Indian popular wear called as 'saree' or 'sari' has been in
existence for more than 5000 years which is mentioned in the Vedas. According
to few historical records of India , during Shunga period of 200 - 50 B.C,
north Indian terracotta depicts a woman wearing a saree covering the entire
body. In Maharashtra, Murals and demy-gods of total gods of the Ajanta caves
are two representations of women wearing sarees draping around the entire body.
According to the costume historians, dhoti was worn by both men and women till
14th century. 1st-6th century CE sculptures show goddesses and dancers wear
dhoti of fishtail version. Some versions of the history of Indian clothing
trace the sari back to the Indus valley civilization, which flourished in
2800-1800 BCE.
It is the basic wear of rural people of India . The name 'saree'
is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Chira' which means cloth. To suit the local
conditions, it is designed by the Indian people in the earlier days. Ancient
western historians thought about this saree that there were cloth growing trees
in India . The length of it varies from 5 to 9.5 yards and it is draped around
the entire body. With the simple trial, we can turn it either as a working
dress or party-wear.
Middle class women wear 5-6 yard saree which is comfortable to them to do their
household work. Rural women at the time of their work, tuck the same length
above the ankles. If they need to work in fields, they tuck the front pleats
between the legs to the back, and tie the upper portion round the waist.
In ancient days, a nine yard saree used to be worn by the Indian woman with
embroidery, embellishments and gold designing. It was worn in the way of
working saree. A gold silver or cloth was fixed firmly to keep pallu, upper
part of pleats and folds in tact. This type of dress was worn by the famous
female historians especially at the time of war who are like Jhansi 's queen
Laxmi bai, Kittur Chennamma, Belawadi Mallamma etc. Tight tucking of the front
pleats in the back was called 'Soldier's tuck' or
'Veeragacche'.
Generally the Indian climate is warm. So, Saree is more suitable for this
subcontinent. One ancient statue shows a man in a draped robe which some sari
researchers believe to be a precursor of the sari. In olden days, men also wear
a dress like saree called 'dhoti'. In those days, there was hardly any
difference between Saree and dhoti. Men also liked to wear colorful Sarees with
brocaded borders could perhaps be interchanged in needy times. The upper
portion of the saree-length which covers the chest is only missing
|