Glorious Saree Drapes of North India

Saree is a traditional and elegant form of clothing in India. The most common and popular style of draping a saree is called Nivi draping styles. There are various styles to drape a sari, like Bengali, Maharashtrian, Gujarati, and many more. A sari is divided into three sections, a palla (the end piece), a field (Jamin), and a border (kinara). Palla is the loose end of a saree covering bosoms and shoulder, also it is the majorly decorated part of a saree. A field, depending on the pattern of a sari, is either plain or has fragments of designs. The borders of a sari run along the entire length fabricating it with a final touch.

We explore the northern terrain and the sarees that are popular in these regions:

Banarasi Sarees

These gleaming drapes from Banaras are one of the most desired pieces in every woman’s wardrobe. Banarasi sarees are a symbol of high stature and excellent taste, fine silk threads woven with real gold and silver zari threads result in such magnificent pieces. Their motifs are mostly inspired by ancient Mughal era designs like paisleys, florals, and foliate patterns, inter-knitted in the inner or outer edges of the sari. The border and palla of a Banarasi sari are its main characteristics depicting the rich aura of Banaras in the intricately woven motifs.

Kota Doria Sarees

The name is derived from the conjoining of two words; Doria means thread and Kota is the town where these saris are fabricated. The fact that the weaving of these saris was originally sparked in Mysore bestows them with another name, Madurai saris. Mostly favored in summers, these feathery saris are most sought after for their Khat (checkered) patterns and delicate transparency.

Lucknowi Sarees

One fact you may not know about Lucknowi saris is that each motif of chikan work is crafted with 40 different stitches out of which 6 are basic stitches and the rest are built on them, also each stitch has a different name. The art was transported to India by Noor Jehan, wife of the Mughal emperor Jehangir, and was carried forward by the Nawabs. Chikankari is mostly done on lightweight fabric like chiffon, mulmul, muslin, etc.

Patola Sarees

Patola saree is the finest variety of silk sarees with their exquisite designs and attractive colors. Patola saris are suitable for weddings, parties, and glamorous events. The main process of making Patola saree is Tying, untying, and dyeing. Rajkot Patola and Patan Patola are two different types of Patola sarees. Rajkot patola is made in single ikat and Patan patola is in Double Ikat. It takes 4 to 6 months to weave a Patola sari.