Category: Stories

The saree is a traditional Indian garment that has been worn by women for centuries. It is a long piece of fabric that is draped around the body and can be styled in many different ways. The history of the saree can be traced back to ancient India, and it has evolved over time to reflect changes in fashion and society. Today, the saree remains an important part of Indian culture and is worn on special occasions and as everyday attire. The saree has also gained popularity around the world, with many designers and fashion enthusiasts embracing its beauty and versatility.

Curated Saree stories of Saree Influencers and creators across Social Media Platforms. must read to know the wonderful journey of Saree lovers across the globe:

 

The Saree – Between Objectification and Professionalism – Nivi Jaswal

Posted on by Sareeing Official

“Own, Embrace, and Claim”

An Indian woman’s personal narrative of reclaiming her cultural and professional identity…!!!

Women are everywhere, from professions and schools to homes and communities. Women’s empowerment is described as fostering women’s self-esteem, ability to make their own decisions, and right to affect societal change for themselves and others. Be it through their choice of career, decisions for their personal life, or their attire. When women have power over themselves in any aspect of their life that is when we can finally say we have achieved the goal of empowering women.

People and groups are empowered when they have a high level of autonomy and self-determination. This allows individuals to act on their own authority and represent their own interests in a responsible and self-determined manner. Everyone deserves the freedom to wear whatever attire they feel comfortable and empowered in, but we still face backlash and have restrictions even on clothing. In my case, I have always been an admirer of Saree. From the very beginning, it has fascinated me to my core and I always wanted to showcase its beauty to others as well.

When I lived in Europe, a manager once forced me to remove my nail paint at work because he thought the hue was too Indian. “This is Europe, we don’t celebrate Diwali here, your nails are much too gaudy, this isn’t India,” he said in the middle of a meeting. In order to put things in perspective, I had my nails done in a salon in Moscow. They were a delicate pink with lotus blossoms painstakingly painted by one of Russia’s top nail artists.

On another occasion, while on a regional assignment in Asia, I was reminded that wearing a Saree is not corporate and that I should avoid Henna (also known as Mehandi) on my hands during a family function since my hands will not convey enough professionalism when I return to work.

I’m wearing a black Phulkari saree in the photo above, which was taken on the occasion of Karwachauth. Rural Punjabi artisan ladies sewed this exquisite Phulkari saree. On the other hand, on the occasion of Diwali, I am dressed in a blue Maheshwari silk saree.
The elegance of these flowing sarees enchanted me.
Above is my picture with henna on my hands while I’m wearing a lovely blue Maheshwari handcrafted design sari with traditional Kundan jewelry. I want to show this to all those who think showcasing and embracing one’s culture is not professional enough.
I want to convey this to all those who are holding back from embracing what they love just because they fear others are going to judge.
None of this has anything to do with my capacity to work to do independent research, hold professional conversations, work in or outside of the corporate sector, attend business school, participate in panel debates, or create a business.

I hope to inspire women from all walks of life, regions, and cultures to find within themselves the courage to wear symbols of their own inheritance and identity. Whether it’s a piece of clothing, jewelry, an heirloom that your ancestors left you or even the right to wear your hair in a way that’s culturally significant for you. When women step into their own, they give an opportunity for their inner Shakti to shine, and when even one of us shows courage, breaks a ceiling or walks our own tall talk – it offers much needed role models for others to follow suit.

– Nivi Jaswal

Founder and President – The Virsa Foundation Inc.
Visit : YouTube & Spotify




Unique Style of Saree Draping – Kamal Kapur

Posted on by Sareeing Official

I can’t pinpoint when my passion for Six Yards began. But as it is said a child always tries to copy what their elder does so the same happened to me,
I was fascinated by the beauty of sarees as I watched them being worn by my mother. I recall waiting for mum to go to her social event when I was a pre-teen.
I would immediately drape her dupatta as a saree and roam about the house the moment she stepped out of the home. Even though they are far away from being what a saree is, the feeling of a garment wrapped around me giving an illusion of a saree was enough for me.
I had no idea what pleats were; all I knew was that the piece of material went around you twice and the Saree was finished. It was tough to move around with that two-layered drape, but I’ve always imagined that the Saree represents femininity, and the modest steps experienced with the drape just added to that impression.

I had always wanted to embrace that femininity within me. This garment has always been more than an untailored fabric piece for me. Saree bringing out the feminine traits at their most subtle in every manner conceivable and also being comfy was enough for me to get charmed by it.
My mother was never a big fan of draping sarees. She enjoyed collecting and purchasing them. She, on the other hand, never liked wearing one. She owns sarees from nearly every region of India, some of which must be over 50 years old. And it was only because of her that I was able to get my hands on this incredible collection of sarees from all around India.

When I started working in the hotel sector, I learned how to drape a saree. As the old adage goes, practice makes one perfect.
In seconds, I perfected the technique of draping a saree.
The hospitality uniform was changing throughout the 1990s. In their consistent style, they did not intend to follow the conventional Saree draping. That’s when the designers showed up. They designed their own colors, patterns, and style for the saree. The draperies were stunning. Ravi Bajaj, the designer of the Hyatt Hotel in Delhi, where I was working at the time, comes to mind. He provided us a jacket to wear over the saree, and he allowed the Gujarati style front pallu to go up in a bib manner on one of the sarees.

I didn’t have a distinct collection of sarees that I could call my own up to that point.
My trousseau is where I began my Saree collecting. I didn’t want any designer sarees in my collection; I just wanted traditional sarees. Patola, Gharchola, Jandhani, South silk, Kanjeevaram, Mukaish work Saree, Bandhani, Paithani, and other sarees were among the items I purchased. I have yet to try on several of these sarees. They’re big and bulky, and I’m still not sure how to drape them. So I’m still adjusting to them, and it’s a work in progress for me.

The six yards continue to be a favorite of mine, and I enjoy arranging the drape in my own unique style.
The fact that I despise shopping for my other garments explains my fondness for the six yards. Such is the power of the sarees’ enchantment over me. My #desicloset is meeting all of my needs in terms of catering to all of my social occasions.

Kamal Kapur




My crazy saree journey – Katyayni Sharma

Posted on by Sareeing Official

If you told me exactly five years ago that I’d be happily married and would be writing a whole article about my saree journey, I might have thought you were crazy but I feel it was not really as crazy as I thought it would be. Initially you will see me fanning over sarees then years later I would be hating it.

As a kid I was never attached to sarees and the most frustrating thing was that people called it a sign of masculinity. I was less attracted to sarees and more to western outfits not because I disliked them but because I found them impossible to wear. Although I loved seeing my mother in different sarees on different occasions, the beauty with which she draped the sarees around her was the most admirable thing in the world. I still remember that I used to consider my mother a superhero only because she used to wear that saree throughout the day and do all her work very easily. Yeah! You can call it funny.


As I grew older, the saree finally came to me. I consider myself lucky because whenever I needed to wear a saree, my mother was always with me and that was enough for me. Be it a family function or an official meeting, I never knew when saree became my first choice. My mother’s presence in my journey really mattered, as it was one of the reasons I got hooked on sarees. Growing up I always saw my mother draped in different sarees but never bothered to know which saree is made of which fabric, all I knew was that I love all of them even if it is Cotton, Silk or Chiffon.

As I matured, both my love for sarees and my environment changed. I started coming more into the world and eventually came to the conclusion that saree was the main issue in making a woman’s life miserable and it made women weak. I thought if women wouldn’t wear a saree, they could’ve at least fought back for themselves. I still think of those pointless thoughts as the most embarrassing and dumb thing in the world like how low could I stoop. Yet for a girl of that age those were her thoughts that ruled her and Yes I believed them and completely disregarded sarees. I stopped wearing them and stuck to western attires. I still wish someone would have knocked some sense but it is still a part of my journey.

This cycle went on for 3 years and I completely thought that saree would never be a part of my life anymore. In 2018 I decided to get a tomboy haircut because it not only attracted me but also made me feel brave. At the same time, our country came under the grip of an epidemic and due to work from home, I had to go back home. As soon as I got home, I realized that it was okay not to come here because instead of hearing a warm welcome, I only heard comments about my hair. That’s when I realized how taboo it is for a girl to have short hair. People started calling me a rebel and telling me different hair growth tips. From, Who will marry me?, to I look like a boy to so many criticisms I had to face. I feel like I have committed a big sin by getting my short hair cut. It was so sad that my confidence eventually fell and I started following the norms of the society and stopped dressing like girls and living like them because according to the society I looked like a boy.

Eventually I had accepted this as my life but I guess life had something big coming for me. In 2020 I started an online business for which I needed a saree model but I couldn’t find one due to the pandemic and after much time of waiting I decided to give it a try and model for it myself and guess what it went great! When I looked into the mirror I didn’t find a boyish girl who looked any bad either it was a beautiful girl. I looked even more beautiful with my short hair than my longer ones. The business idea was dropped due to some reasons but thanks to it I got my confidence back. It has been a long time since then but all of this just made me realize that a woman’s clothing never defines her or makes her any weak, it was rather her mindset and will power.

Today I still continue my journey to this day. In my life, whether it was choosing to wear for an occasion or for bringing my confidence back, saree has always played an important role in everything and I hope to inspire others with my experiences too. All I know is that my crazy saree journey will continue for a long time.

This is Katyayni Sharma @simplenaari and I would like to specially thank my mother and my husband for constantly supporting and inspiring me throughout my journey and thank you Sareeing.Com for giving me the opportunity of sharing my story with all of you.

Hope you guys love it.
Thank you 🙂

– Katyayni Sharma

Katyayni is one among the three winners of #YogaInSaree theme. Her active participation inspired and encouraged i’grammers.




Saree-Makes woman feel like Queen-Bhavana

Posted on by Sareeing Official

A fashion statement and unique apparel by itself, sareeing has always been an exciting affair to me.
Especially after moving to the United States of America where I thought saree draping was completely out of choice as apparel.
I still remember those days when I was around 6 years to 7, and when I used to sneak into my mom’s closet to drape her fancy sarees and look at myself in the mirror when she was away from home. The joy and excitement I felt back then are the same now, when I drape a saree for any occasion.

Initially when I moved to the USA, I felt that I would forget the art and skill of draping a saree, because it wouldn’t be an everyday attire to wear on,nor would I be able to get out of the house draping a saree. The myth and belief that all my wedding sarees would be wasted was then waived off, when I slowly started draping sarees for small pooja (Hindu Prayers), Temple visits or even for festivities like Diwali and Navarathri. I found a few saree groups on Facebook, where saree draping and clicking pictures to send them in those groups was fun. I found back my enthusiasm for saree draping, and slowly saree draping became a passion to me, I made sure to put use all the sarees I had in my closet. There was one particular group on Facebook where a moderator of the group volunteered and asked the members to participate in saree draping on all the 9 days of Navarathri in the month of October, to drape a particular color of saree on a each day of Navarathri. It was like a time table to follow, sounds fun right!

Yes, it was absolute fun and an exciting experience to choose a saree for the day corresponding to the particular color, also to choose the matching accessories for my saree, I made sure to arrange all my 9 sarees according to the color scheme and also made sure to arrange the respective accessories. Since it was the first year I made sure that I have the colors of saree to coordinate with the particular color of the day. I am so proud that from then I have followed this for Navarathri, 3 years in a row, and I can’t wait for this year to continue the tradition for the 4th consecutive year.

I also found another Facebook private group that is run by an amazing admin exclusively for saree draping and especially when it was created during the covid pandemic year, it was a great start for virtual saree meet-up, where we had zoom video calls and we ended up playing games, singing and dancing online, it was a pleasure socializing with women even though we couldn’t get out of the house, and now these events have changed into in-person meetings and have started meeting up on a weekend every month, where we have a theme to drape a saree and coordinate with other women.

The fun and joy of saree draping have now doubled. For the same group during the pandemic, I draped a saree and performed yoga moves for a contest and won the 2nd position. It was a moment of pride, not because I won a gift, but because I was able to carry a saree with ease and grace while performing the most difficult yoga moves.

I also recently had this amazing opportunity to attend an Indian wedding function of my husband’s office colleague with family. I draped a soft silk saree in baby pink and matched a dark pink blouse with matching accessories.

Needless to say, a saree is always an attire that makes a woman feel like a queen, and the elegance that it gives is at par with beauty. Thank you so much Sareeing Official for giving me a chance to pen about my Saree draping experience.

Bhavana Yoganand




“Saree” My style statement of fashion – Richa Kesharwani

Posted on by Sareeing Official

My passion for Indian culture and heritage, which dates back to my early years, is what inspired me to wear sarees. As we become older, we frequently abandon our basic principles in favor of what our generation refers to as the “New Cool”. and start doing or wearing things that make us uncomfortable. Even though I had always been drawn to a variety of trendy clothes, as I got older I realized how much I really loved everything “desi”. I started to like dressing in a slightly traditional Indian manner and being trendy.

 

The saree, which I always considered to be the most fashionable and in-vogue item of clothing, is a minimum 6-yard saree woven with gorgeous textiles, originally from various regions of India, and created using a variety of regional art techniques.

In order to symbolize a mix of Indian culture with western fashion, I brought various saree draping styles that are seen in my photographs, along with jeans and a top. I bring forth a real Indian elegance and India’s vivid and most civilized attire by pairing my various saree fabrics with handcrafted and ethnic tops.

 I was truly inspired by the way Indian women, like my mother and grandmothers, handled everything while managing their children and household chores while wearing a 6-yard saree. I also wondered how comfortable it could possibly be until I wore my mother’s silk saree for the first time while sporting an Indian look by pairing it with traditional Indian jewelry. 

There isn’t a specific type of fabric that I adore when it comes to wearing sarees, but the one that draws me in the most is Indian art silk that has been dyed in vibrant Indian colors and weaved with golden zari. I recently wore a red Banarsi silk saree with gold zari thread work and a large pallu.

 I showed a beautiful Maharashtrian cultural elegance in my Paithani silk 9-yard saree with an exquisite zari border styling in nauvari look while competing in the “Miss India” national costume round. For my gracious Indian look, I was chosen as “Miss Diva 2022”. 

 

In particular, I was greatly praised for my Indian graceful appearance by larger corporate officials visiting from different countries abroad and serving as an inspiration for sarees when I proudly wore my Chanderi silk hand-painted saree with art design during my office corporate meetings and parties. 

Kanjeevaram silk is one of the reasons I fell in love with sarees because of its exquisite temple designs, floral Buttas, and stripes mixed with a blend of colors. A single vibrant color saree weaved with three silk threads and twisted with gold and silver wire just compels me to present myself in a mesmerizing Indian look during weddings and home functions.

My Mysore royal silk saree, which is simple and has borders with elaborate gold and silver zari work, constantly draws me to wear it while working.

 

 A must-have item in my wardrobe is my Kosa silk collection, a Tussar silk variation from the state of Chattisgarh that is made from Indian silkworm and cocoon and prized for its softness and purity.

I still have 30 more regional Indian saree variants to discover, ranging from 6 to 9 yards, and I’m excited to design them in a distinctive, ethnic fashion that is still luxurious and exquisite as part of my never-ending quest and passion for sarees.

Richa Kesharwani




Queen in Nature | Sowmya Sri

Posted on by Sareeing Official

In today’s fast-paced world a crisis that has brought this world down on its knees is climate change. Environmental implications of global climate change have already been observed. Glaciers have receded, ice on rivers and lakes has broken up earlier, plant and animal ranges have altered, and trees have begun to bud earlier. Global climate change is having the effects that experts projected in the past which is rapid sea-level rise due to ice loss.
Many people believe that climate change is primarily associated with increased temperatures. However, the spike in temperature is just the beginning. Changes in one place might impact changes in others because the Earth is a system in which everything is interrelated.

Droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and dwindling biodiversity are all examples of climate change’s repercussions. It is high time when the world needs to take strict action regarding it. While individuals may not be able to make significant reductions in emissions to keep climate change under control, personal action is crucial in elevating the importance of climate change issues among governments and companies. Using your influence as a customer, client, voter, and active citizen will result in far-reaching improvements.


Environmentalists have started a number of campaigns to rectify the harm that has been done, such as Save Soil, which has lately garnered a lot of traction. Fortunately, we have folks who are always giving their all for this noble cause. There are various ways you may reach out to act towards fixing this global catastrophe, whether it’s through propagating movements by being present on the ground or by influencing others through social media activities.
Sowmyasri Thalanki, who was just named Ms. Biosphere is one of these individuals. She is an environmentalist, is an expert in the fashion arena, and was awarded the title of Ms. Biosphere India, 2022. There are many notable works done by her as she is an active participant in social work.

What provoked us to talk about this pageant winner is how she is influencing the people to act towards saving the ecosphere through her posts which have a tint of retro vibe dominated by tints of earthy colors.

She’s wearing a flowery saree in the photo above, which gives off beautiful spring feelings. It combines two unique colors, turquoise and dark blue which are the most cherished colors in the hydrosphere, in a beautiful way. Pink flower motifs are quite fashionable since they highlight the attractiveness of the garment’s hue. By wearing a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring, she attempted to balance out the accessories. The borders of this saree have a highly crafted golden design, and she matched the golden and turquoise color scheme with her accessories. She kept the style of her blouses neutral by choosing a sleeveless plain top with a simple pattern.

Sowmya’s choice of saree in the top photo gives off a nostalgic aura. The vibrant yellow color appreciates the beauty of the Lithosphere of our Mother Earth. Indeed, she exudes a colorful atmosphere, but it is the ruffles that give this outfit its distinct character. The pink ruffles on this yellow saree mirror the pink flower motifs on the saree. Despite the fact that the blouse has a distinct design, it is unique. She enhanced her outfit by wearing it with hanging earrings.

She is wearing a baby pink saree with a neutral structure in the top photo, but the show-stealer is the blouse she is wearing. The color of the saree compliments the rare tint shown by the atmosphere. It has exquisitely embroidered needlework that is subtle but spectacular. It includes a net on the sleeves, which is embellished with embroidery to complete the design. The embroidered blouse is well balanced by the simple baby pink saree. She completed her ensemble by wearing matching earrings and a necklace. She also wore a belt to define her waist, which enhanced her style by not only emphasizing her form but also giving her a more defined look than normal. Even a basic saree may look stylish when paired with a belt.


Her sense of style in her dress selections complements her work ethic. She exemplifies gratitude for what we have and perseverance in recognizing our abilities. Every human being has a unique collection of skills, talents, and abilities, which is why we have variety. You never know what influence your expertise might have on this cause so do not leave any stone unturned.
The increased reach and scope of social media have allowed people to influence and motivate others to strive for our common good. As a result, this role is equally significant, and seeing someone who has been given the title and is working tirelessly in their field inspires optimism for addressing the situation.




Unquenchable love for handlooms – Sudha’s Journals

Posted on by Sareeing Official

There are several situations in which a kid is inspired by their surroundings and wants to imitate what piques their attention; such was the case with me, but little did I realize that the love I was about to feel for this clothing would last a lifetime and would only become stronger with time.
When I was a youngster, I used to enjoy seeing my mother, grandmothers, and other elders drape a saree. I used to dress up in a towel as a saree and pretend to be a teacher when I was little. I initially wore a Kanjeevaram saree at a function when I was 13 years old. I used to think of myself as the queen of my domain. My love for 6-yards began when I was six years old. Even though I’m 45 years old, I still like sarees. I’ve never felt self-conscious about wearing a saree. The love becomes stronger with each passing day. The collection I’m creating I would like to pass to my little angel. Although I will not force her to like it, I am interested in seeing it through the eyes of an adult and seeing whether she feels the same way I do.

Even though I’m doing domestic chores, business work, traveling, or Yoga, I enjoy draping a saree. I’m now riding my bike while wearing a saree. When a woman wears a saree, she is inundated with queries and comments such as “You look lovely.” “Are you able to put on a saree?” “How long did it take you to drape this saree?” and so on. As a result, sarees are excellent conversation starters. So, if you want to strengthen your bonds with like-minded people, nothing beats a saree. Likewise, I learned a lot from my Saree Sakhis (friends).

I learned about handlooms and other types of sarees from my interactions with like-minded people who shared my enthusiasm for sarees, and it quickly became my ambition to have my own collection. Because they each have their own niche, I can’t tell them apart. When I initially joined Instagram, I learned about different weaves and crafts. In my area, I used to only see georgette, chiffon, Crape, Kanjivaram, and Bengali cotton sarees.

When I witness weavers’ work, I am filled with adoration and reverence. When you purchase a handloom saree, you are assisting a small group of weavers who are fighting to keep their craft alive in the face of the industry loom and people’s aversion to tradition. I’m not sure how to convey it to them, so as a token of gratitude I purchase their weavings and handicrafts. A handloom saree is made entirely by hand. It’s distinct because of the personal touch. Of course, they require a little more attention than an industrial loom, but after you’ve followed the cleaning and maintenance instructions to the letter, you’ll have it for years to come. As a result, it is a prudent investment that will pay off in the long run.
My enthusiasm for this has only risen with time, and I want to disseminate it as much as possible.
I want everyone to see how beautiful these handloom sarees are.

https://www.instagram.com/sudha_journals/




Celebrating pride month with the proudest woman | Sneha Malik

Posted on by Sareeing Official

Saree is a feeling not a fabric and this is what I’ve loved and learned over the years.
Being born in a different body and then self realising that I’m a woman and a beautiful Transwoman. Since it’s a pride month and I’m accepting the way I’m.
We all are beautiful and we all women have this quality of accepting everything and everyone equally.

My first experience with saree was at the age of 25 when I was in a different land and then I realised it’s super hard to carry.
But over the years I realised that it’s one of the purest form of being feminine feelings within you. It’s a fabric of love , acceptance and greatness we women carry along. I wish I could wear it each and everyday in my life. And things are changing and I’m that part of a change as well. Thanks for always loving this beautiful “Naari” among you. Trust me, transwoman are woman too. And they’re equally gorgeous as you’re seeing in these pictures of mine.

Let me share my few experiences here. I went out for the first time in Saree in city where no one knew me actually.
I shared my feelings with one of my female friend and she was lucky to be the part of this beautiful outing. She told me I’ll wear the suit but you should wear the saree. I luckily found a make up artist in my city and then we both went to get ready from her. It took us a while in getting ready and I realised that day that why women take too long to get ready. It was just insane and approximately took me 4 hours to get ready and go out.

We went to a restaurant where LGBTQ people are accepted and everyone welcomed us so nicely. We had great talks and great food with lots of pictures got clicked together. It was such a perfect day of my life and I felt this is me and this is what I always wanted to be.

Why transwoman are not treated well in our country ? When the society’s will realise we are also normal people ? Why there is such taboo created among the societies ?

We can change it if we all are together in this but need support of each of you. I’ve done multiple outings later on with the same feeling and enthusiasm and they all are reflected here in the pics I’m sharing. Everyone is unique and everyone has their struggles so just respect and love everyone in this life.

Happy Sareeing…!!!

– Sneha Malik