Soliloquies Anthology 30.1

By Saskia Wodarczak

For as long as I can remember, saris have always been of the utmost fascination to me. Their intricately detailed hues, the tassels on the border of the skirts, the way the fabric falls across the arms and chest.

Maybe it’s because one of my favourite stories as a child was Pooja Makhijani’s “Mama’s Sari’s”. The way the author depicted each of the graceful garments that carries centuries of history, as a symbol of continuity, self-expression, and identity, was truly captivating. Seeing my cousin adorned in her blue wedding sari, or my Mousi dressed up in one of her many traditional outfits, reinforces how deep our traditions run and I love seeing the women in my family embrace our roots and their personalities through their saris. 

How a sari is worn is almost like poetry. The six yards of fabric, spanning from cotton to silk, are all pleated, tucked, and draped in ways that vary by region and province, lending a hand to the beauty of the sari’s existence. The way the sari moves depends entirely on who wears it, how she walks and lives, with each gesture shaping it, bringing the fabric to life. It is neither restrictive nor careless, but has a balance and flow. The ritual that comes with draping the fabric, and the patience it demands, allows it to be molded to the wearer; a quiet assertion that the grace it takes to wear a sari is powerful.

The word itself derived from the Sanskrit word “satika” – literally meaning a “strip of cloth”. Initially a single piece of fabric securely draped around the body, it evolved into a three piece ensemble. Periods such as the Mughal era, and eventually the British, influenced its design and coloration. However, as time goes on, and for all the tradition that the fabric carries, the sari remains effortlessly modern. Still today, saris continuously adapt to new trends, embracing and experimenting with new materials and patterns, or fusion drapes, and yet remains traditional through its patterns, colours, and motifs. The rich, deep crimson of a wedding sari, adorned with gold. The dark, vibrant purples, pinks, and royal blues for sangeets; one of the traditional pre-wedding events. The simple, conservative white worn at a funeral. 

To wear a sari is to bridge the past and present. 

A sari is not just worn, but inhabited. Each tells a story of the person wearing it, with the fabric creating a form of art.