Pondicherry: Saree Draping Workshop｜India

Learn the art of wearing a saree and discover all the tips and hints to wear it comfortably. Set out all the secrets about this all-time favorite piece of cloth. Learn how to wear a saree, to easily make pleats and feel comfortable all day long.

The saree is more than a garment; it is a cultural and identity symbol. The Sari or Saree is a traditional female garment with various styles of draping, varying from five to nine yards (4.5 to 8 meters) in length. The history of sari-like drapery is traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which flourished during 2800–1800 BC around the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent.

Cotton was first cultivated and woven in the Indian subcontinent around the 5th millennium BC. Dyes used during this period are still in use, particularly indigo, lac, red madder, and turmeric. In the modern Indian subcontinent, the sari is considered a cultural icon. There are more than 30 types of sarees available in India and there are more than 80 reported ways to wear a sari! It is likely that you will be inclined to buy at least one piece of this heirloom; we suggest that you learn to drape it to feel Indian when you wear Indian!

South Indian women are known for their impeccable saree tying skills, and at SITA, we have Lakshmi, our saree tying instructor, who will guide you through the historical and geographical representation of this garment in a short theoretical session. She will explain the different types of sarees, the accessory clothing needed to wear a saree, and different ways to wear it.

What will you do? 3 techniques are taught during the workshop: the daily option that most of the women around the sub-continent use to wear, a party-style version, and another one more traditional which shows the pallu, the embellished border of your saree. You will get to practice the steps and Lakshmi will answer your questions so that once you are through with the class, you will be confident to wear the saree on your own. The workshop ends with a small photoshoot in saree to frame your saree-clad avatar forever!

The workshop lasts 1.5 hours and is taught in English. This workshop is especially designed for women, but if some men are interested, we can explain the male equivalent of the saree, meaning the lungi or veshti. Children can participate as well along with their mother.