Sari- beautiful, colourful and silky. They easily catch our attention- but have you ever wondered what their history and significance are? 

The Sari, or Saree, symbolises India’s rich culture and heritage, as well as elegance, which dates back thousands of years.

In the past, it was defined as an unstitched fabric, and by its Sanskrit definition, it literally meant “strip of cloth.” It is a form of ethnic wear mainly in India but also in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.  

A fitting blouse known as a choli and a petticoat known as a ghagra, parkar, or ul-pavadai are typically worn with Saris. Some women still wear the Sari without these garments, though, as many did before the British Raj.

Over time, the garment has changed, particularly during the British colonial era in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 

The Sari ceased to be a fashion accessory and instead became a necessary piece of clothing for many married women. There were saris for the temple and market, a sari for the home, and more expensive saris for events like weddings. 

Saris, as first mentioned in the Hindu book of hymns (3,000 B.C.), Rig Veda, don’t usually require any safety pins to hold, as it’s all in the strategy of draping. If you look up “how to wear a Saree” on YouTube, you will find hundreds of different ways to drape your Sari.

Some of the most common styles are the Nivi, Gujarati and Bengali. The Nivi style Sari, for example, is split into two parts.

The top part is referred to as the “uttariya”. The lower part is a skirt, which is referred to as “Nivi”.

Saris will usually evoke a feeling of nostalgia; for example, it may remind people of their mother or grandmother.

They carry with them sentimental feelings and are in themselves time capsules that have been passed on from generation to generation, often offered as special gifts for important occasions.